Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In 2015 the UK became the first country to implement the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB, into the national infant program. 4CMenB is expected to cover meningococci expressing sufficient levels of cross-reactive proteins. This study presents clonal complex, 4CMenB antigen genotyping, and 4CMenB coverage data for all English invasive MenB isolates from 2014/15 (1 year pre-vaccine) through 2017/18 and compares data from vaccinated and unvaccinated ≤3 year olds. METHODS: Vaccine coverage of all invasive MenB isolates from 2014/15 to 2017/18 (n = 784) was analysed using the Meningococcal Antigen Typing System. Genotyping utilised the Meningococcus Genome Library. RESULTS: Among ≤3 year olds, proportionally fewer cases in vaccinees (1, 2 or 3 doses) were associated with well-covered strains e.g. cc41/44 (20.5% versus 36.4%; P<0.01) and antigens e.g. PorA P1.4 (7.2% versus 17.3%; P = 0.02) or fHbp variant 1 peptides (44.6% vs 69.1%; P<0.01). Conversely, proportionally more cases in vaccinees were associated with poorly-covered strains e.g. cc213 (22.9% versus 9.6%; P<0.01) and antigens e.g. variant 2 or 3 fHbp peptides (54.2% versus 30.9%; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: 4CMenB reduces disease due to strains with cross-reactive antigen variants. No increase in absolute numbers of cases due to poorly covered strains was observed in the study period.