Persistence of Antibody Following Immunization of Children With Groups A and C Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccines

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Abstract
Persistence of antibody following immunization with groups A and C meningococcal polysaccharides was studied in 2 groups of children. Cohort 1 (20 children, 2-11 yr of age) received 2 doses of A vaccine 3 yr apart; cohort 2 (1345 children, 6-8 yr of age) received A or C vaccine initially and the heterologous vaccine 1 yr later. No significant reactions were observed. Geometric mean anti-A concentrations 1 mo. after primary and booster immunizations in cohort 1 were 8.77 and 13.08 .mu.g/ml, respectively. Mean anti-A concentration declined 32% 1 yr after booster immunization, but then stabilized. Mean anti-A and anti-C concentrations in cohort 2 were 9.35 and 9.12 .mu.g/ml, respectively, 1 mo. after primary immunization. Mean anti-A concentration declined to 5.54 and 3.62 .mu.g/ml while anti-C levels fell to 2.35 and 1.47 .mu.g/ml 1 and 4 yr after immunization. The proportion of children in cohort 2 with .gtoreq. 2.0 .mu.g/ml of anti-A and anti-C 4 yr after immunization were 80% and 40%, respectively. An antibody concentration .gtoreq. 2.0 .mu.g/ml was associated with protection against meningococcal disease. Routine immunization of young infants with group A vaccine may result in long-lasting immunity. The usefulness of the presently available group C vaccine appears to be limited to the control of epidemics.

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