Post-licensure safety surveillance study of routine use of quadrivalent meningococcal diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine

Do vaccines cause epilepsy? Review of cases in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

OBJECTIVE

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a no-fault alternative to the traditional tort system. Since 1988, the total compensation paid exceeds $5 billion. Although epilepsy is one of the leading reasons for filing a claim, there has been no review of the process and validity of the legal outcomes given current medical information. The objectives were to review the evolution of the VICP program in regard to vaccine-related epilepsy and assess the rationale behind decisions made by the court.

METHODS

Publicly available cases involving epilepsy claims in the VICP were searched through Westlaw and the US Court of Federal Claims websites. All published reports were reviewed for petitioner's theories supporting vaccine-induced epilepsy, respondent's counterarguments, the final decision regarding compensation, and the rationale underlying these decisions. The primary goal was to determine which factors went into decisions regarding whether vaccines caused epilepsy.

RESULTS

Since the first epilepsy case in 1989, there have been many changes in the program, including the removal of residual seizure disorder as a vaccine-related injury, publication of the Althen prongs, release of the acellular form of pertussis, and recognition that in genetic conditions the underlying genetic abnormality rather than the immunization causes epilepsy. We identified 532 unique cases with epilepsy: 105 with infantile spasms and 427 with epilepsy without infantile spasms. The petitioners' experts often espoused outdated, erroneous causation theories that lacked an acceptable medical or scientific foundation and were frequently criticized by the court.

SIGNIFICANCE

Despite the lack of epidemiological or mechanistic evidence indicating that childhood vaccines covered by the VICP result in or aggravate epilepsy, these cases continue to be adjudicated. After 35 years of intense litigation, it is time to reconsider whether epilepsy should continue to be a compensable vaccine-induced injury.

Immunogenicity and safety of MenACWY-TT, a quadrivalent meningococcal tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine recently licensed in the United States for individuals ≥2 years of age

Vaccination offers the best way to prevent invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). As demonstrated in countries with national immunization programs (NIPs) against IMD, meningococcal conjugate vaccines have contributed to significant declines in incidence. Since some meningococcal vaccines are associated with modest immunogenicity in infants, possible immunological interference upon concomitant administration with some pediatric vaccines, and administration errors resulting from improper reconstitution, opportunities for improvement exist. A quadrivalent conjugate vaccine, MenQuadfi® (Meningococcal [Serogroups A, C, Y, and W] Conjugate Vaccine; Sanofi, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania), was approved in 2020 for the prevention of IMD caused by meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y in individuals ≥2 years of age in the United States. Five pivotal studies and one ancillary study supported approval in the United States; clinical trials in infants are ongoing. Data on the immunogenicity and safety of this vaccine are presented, and its potential value in clinical practice is discussed.

Bell's palsy following COVID-19 vaccine administration in HIV+ patient

Purpose

COVID-19 immunizations are novel and there is widespread public concern for the lack of data on their potential adverse effects. Cases of Bell's palsy following COVID-19 vaccination were reported disproportionately in the vaccine group during phase 3 clinical trials and have now been reported multiple times post-licensure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated the frequency of Bell's palsy in the vaccine group is consistent with the expected background rate of Bell's palsy in the population but recommends "surveillance for cases of Bell's palsy with deployment of the vaccine into larger populations."¹ Here we present a case of Bell's palsy following Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine administration in an HIV⁺ patient as a potential adverse event following immunization.

Observations

A 60-year-old male with HIV presented to the emergency department for evaluation of left facial droop. He had received the first dose of Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccination approximately 42 hours prior to symptom onset. Physical examination in the ED revealed left-sided facial weakness with involvement of the forehead, inability to raise left eyebrow, and inability to close left eye with sensation and strength intact in bilateral upper and lower extremities. Physical examination in our outpatient ophthalmology clinic on day 2 following symptom onset was revealing for mild exposure keratopathy, 5 mm lagophthalmos and very poor Bell's reflex in the left eye with otherwise normal exam findings. These findings were judged to be consistent with uncomplicated Bell's palsy. He was provided ophthalmic lubricating ointment to use hourly, artificial tears as needed, moisture goggles and suggested to tape eyelids nightly in addition to standard systemic glucocorticoid and antiviral therapy. The patient's facial weakness and exposure keratopathy were completely resolved at approximately 90 days following symptom onset.

Conclusions

Though there is insufficient evidence at this time to support any causal association between COVID-19 vaccines and Bell's palsy, the temporal relationship between vaccination and classic clinical features of Bell's palsy in our patient certainly raises suspicion for association with Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination. It will be important to monitor for cases of Bell's palsy following COVID-19 immunization as an increasing percentage of the global population receives vaccination.

Safety of vaccines used for routine immunization in the United States: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Understanding the safety of vaccines is critical to inform decisions about vaccination. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the safety of vaccines recommended for children, adults, and pregnant women in the United States.

METHODS

We searched the literature in November 2020 to update a 2014 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality review by integrating newly available data. Studies of vaccines that used a comparator and reported the presence or absence of key adverse events were eligible. Adhering to Evidence-based Practice Center methodology, we assessed the strength of evidence (SoE) for all evidence statements. The systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020180089).

RESULTS

Of 56,603 reviewed citations, 338 studies reported in 518 publications met inclusion criteria. For children, SoE was high for no increased risk of autism following measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. SoE was high for increased risk of febrile seizures with MMR. There was no evidence of increased risk of  intussusception with rotavirus vaccine at the latest follow-up (moderate SoE), nor of diabetes (high SoE). There was no evidence of increased risk or insufficient evidence for key adverse events for newer vaccines such as 9-valent human papillomavirus and meningococcal B vaccines. For adults, there was no evidence of increased risk (varied SoE) or insufficient evidence for key adverse events for the new adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine and recombinant adjuvanted zoster vaccine. We found no evidence of increased risk (varied SoE) for key adverse events among pregnant women following tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine, including stillbirth (moderate SoE).

CONCLUSIONS

Across a large body of research we found few associations of vaccines and serious key adverse events; however, rare events are challenging to study. Any adverse events should be weighed against the protective benefits that vaccines provide.

Post-Marketing Surveillance Observational Study of Quadrivalent Meningococcal Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY-DT, MCV4/Menactra®) in the Republic of Korea, 2014-2019

Background

Invasive meningococcal disease is a notifiable disease in the Republic of Korea. The meningococcal (groups A, C, Y, and W) polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-DT, Menactra^®) was licensed in the Republic of Korea in 2014. This post-marketing surveillance (PMS) observational study aims to assess the safety of MenACWY-DT administration of routine clinical care to individuals aged 9–23 months as a two-dose series at least 3 months apart and to individuals 2–55 years as a single dose.

Methods

The PMS observational study (NCT02864927) included participants aged 9 months to 55 years and who were given MenACWY-DT during routine healthcare visits. The study participants were followed-up for up to 30 days following vaccination (additional time was allowed for the visit or phone call to be conducted). Study outcomes included solicited and unsolicited adverse reactions, unexpected adverse events, and serious adverse events (SAEs).

Results

A total of 640 participants 9–23 months of age and 671 participants 2–55 years of age were eligible for safety analysis. Overall, AEs were reported by 35.3% of participants aged < 2 years and 45% of participants aged 2–55 years. Solicited adverse reactions were reported by 21.4% and 17.4% of participants aged < 2 years and 2–55 years, respectively. Unsolicited adverse reactions were reported by 26.1% and 37.9%, respectively. No vaccine-related SAEs occurred during the study. The AEs reported in Korean population were consistent with the known safety profile of MenACWY-DT, and most were of grade 1–2 in severity.

Conclusions

This study did not detect any unanticipated or new safety findings of concern with MenACWY-DT in either of the study age groups, and provides reassurance that MenACWY-DT can be used as part of routine immunization care for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT02864927

Real-world evidence of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine safety in the United States: a systematic review

Two quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY) that prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W have been licensed in the U.S. in the past 10-15 years. We systematically reviewed published studies conducted in the U.S. to evaluate the real-world safety evidence of meningococcal conjugate vaccines. We performed a literature search in PubMed of publications from 01/01/2005 to 02/29/2020 and identified 18 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Populations included high-risk persons aged 2 months to 10 years, adolescents/adults aged ≥11 years, pregnant populations, and hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. We extracted information about study setting, study design, exposure, outcomes, comparison group, follow-up/look back period, study population, sample size, available demographic/indication information, results, key conclusion, and reference. These published studies found no new significant safety concerns related to MenACWY. Consideration for future research includes a post-licensure safety evaluation of a new MenACWY product approved in April 2020.

Meningococcal Vaccination: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2020

This report compiles and summarizes all recommendations from CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use of meningococcal vaccines in the United States. As a comprehensive summary and update of previously published recommendations, it replaces all previously published reports and policy notes. This report also contains new recommendations for administration of booster doses of serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine for persons at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease. These guidelines will be updated as needed on the basis of availability of new data or licensure of new meningococcal vaccines. ACIP recommends routine vaccination with a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) for adolescents aged 11 or 12 years, with a booster dose at age 16 years. ACIP also recommends routine vaccination with MenACWY for persons aged ≥2 months at increased risk for meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W, or Y, including persons who have persistent complement component deficiencies; persons receiving a complement inhibitor (e.g., eculizumab [Soliris] or ravulizumab [Ultomiris]); persons who have anatomic or functional asplenia; persons with human immunodeficiency virus infection; microbiologists routinely exposed to isolates of Neisseria meningitidis; persons identified to be at increased risk because of a meningococcal disease outbreak caused by serogroups A, C, W, or Y; persons who travel to or live in areas in which meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic; unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated first-year college students living in residence halls; and military recruits. ACIP recommends MenACWY booster doses for previously vaccinated persons who become or remain at increased risk.In addition, ACIP recommends routine use of MenB vaccine series among persons aged ≥10 years who are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease, including persons who have persistent complement component deficiencies; persons receiving a complement inhibitor; persons who have anatomic or functional asplenia; microbiologists who are routinely exposed to isolates of N. meningitidis; and persons identified to be at increased risk because of a meningococcal disease outbreak caused by serogroup B. ACIP recommends MenB booster doses for previously vaccinated persons who become or remain at increased risk. In addition, ACIP recommends a MenB series for adolescents and young adults aged 16-23 years on the basis of shared clinical decision-making to provide short-term protection against disease caused by most strains of serogroup B N. meningitidis.

Adverse events following quadrivalent meningococcal diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine (Menactra®) reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), 2005-2016

BACKGROUND

Post marketing safety evaluations of quadrivalent meningococcal diphtheria-toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-D) have focused on post-vaccination risk of Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS), adverse events (AEs) after maternal vaccination, and comparative studies with the newer quadrivalent meningococcal CRM197 conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-CRM). To provide an updated general safety assessment, we reviewed reports of AEs following MenACWY-D submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

METHODS

VAERS is a national spontaneous reporting vaccine safety surveillance system co-administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We searched the VAERS database for U.S. reports of AEs after administration of MenACWY-D from January 2005 through June 2016. We conducted clinical reviews of serious reports after MenACWY-D administered alone, reports of MenACWY-D use during pregnancy, and reports of selected pre-specified outcomes. We screened for disproportionate reporting of AEs after MenACWY-D using empirical Bayesian data mining.

RESULTS

VAERS received 13,075 U.S. reports after receipt of MenACWY-D; most (86%) described vaccination in adolescents, were classified as non-serious (94%), and described AEs consistent with pre-licensure studies. We did not find any evidence that reported deaths were related to vaccination. In serious reports, GBS and meningococcal infection were the most commonly reported medical conditions. Many reports of MenACWY-D use during pregnancy described inadvertent vaccination; most (61%) did not report any AE.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from our comprehensive review of reports to VAERS following MenACWY-D are consistent with data from pre-licensure studies and provide further reassurance on the safety of MenACWY-D.

Do Vaccines Have a Role as a Cause of Autoimmune Neurological Syndromes?

Vaccines are the most important preventive measure against infectious diseases presently available. Although they have led to the eradication or the elimination of some infectious diseases, concerns about safety are among the main reasons for vaccine hesitancy. In some cases, the biological plausibility of a given damage in association with the temporal association between vaccine administration and disease development makes it difficult to define causality and can justify hesitancy. Only well-conducted epidemiological studies with adequate evaluation of results can clarify whether a true association between vaccines and adverse event development truly exists. Autoimmune neurological syndromes that follow vaccine use are among these. In this narrative review, the potential association between vaccines and the development of these syndromes are discussed. Literature analysis showed that most of the associations between vaccines and nervous system autoimmune syndromes that have been reported as severe adverse events following immunization are no longer evidenced when well-conducted epidemiological studies are carried out. Although the rarity of autoimmune diseases makes it difficult to strictly exclude that, albeit exceptionally, some vaccines may induce an autoimmune neurological disease, no definitive demonstration of a potential role of vaccines in causing autoimmune neurological syndromes is presently available. Consequently, the fear of neurological autoimmune disease cannot limit the use of the most important preventive measure presently available against infectious diseases.

Progress toward the global control of Neisseria meningitidis: 21st century vaccines, current guidelines, and challenges for future vaccine development

The control of meningitis, meningococcemia and other infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis is a significant global health challenge. Substantial progress has occurred in the last twenty years in meningococcal vaccine development and global implementation. Meningococcal protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines to serogroups A, C, W, and Y (modeled after the Haemophilus influenzae b conjugate vaccines) provide better duration of protection and immunologic memory, and overcome weak immune responses in infants and young children and hypo-responsive to repeated vaccine doses seen with polysaccharide vaccines. ACWY conjugate vaccines also interfere with transmission and reduce nasopharyngeal colonization, thus resulting in significant herd protection. Advances in serogroup B vaccine development have also occurred using conserved outer membrane proteins with or without OMV as vaccine targets. Challenges for meningococcal vaccine research remain including developing combination vaccines containing ACYW(X) and B, determining the ideal booster schedules for the conjugate and MenB vaccines, and addressing issues of waning effectiveness.