Novartis' MenB protects infants under six months

New data show Novartis' investigational meningitis B vaccine may be the first to also protect infants six months and older against multiple strains of potentially-deadly meningococcal B bacteria. This second successful study of the MenB vaccine in infants supports its potential to provide broad serogroup B strain coverage for both younger and older babies, according to the Swiss drug major. Nearly all infants (more than 95%) six to 12 months of age enrolled in the study generated a protective immune response as early as one month post second dose against strains representing multiple antigens included in the vaccine. MenB contains multiple bacterial surface proteins that are believed to be found in most meningococcal B strains responsible for the disease worldwide, Novartis noted.