JAMA Netw Open

Does meningococcal B vaccination protect against gonococcal infection?

September 11, 2023

Results of this study conducted among Oregon university students are consistent with previous findings suggesting that OMV-based vaccines may be protective against gonorrhea.

• Study populations: 15,760 participants received ≥1 OMV-based meningococcal B vaccine (MBV) (54% females; median age at receipt, 19.3 years), and 15,212 received ≥1 non–OMV-based MBV (56% female; median age at receipt, 19.4 years). Cases of gonorrhea reported: 24 in OMV-based MBV recipients vs. 44 in non–OMV-based MBV recipients. Thus, OMV-based MBV was 47% effective in preventing gonorrhea among recipients ages 18 to 29 years.
• Due to the fact that older students might be lost to later disease tracking because of graduation and departure from the state, researchers analyzed vaccine effectiveness separately for students ages 18 to 19 years. Among this group, 12 gonorrhea cases were reported in OMV-based MBV recipients vs. 27 in non–OMV-based MBV recipients (vaccine effectiveness, 59%).
• Due to the global burden of gonorrhea, authors conclude that further investigation of OMV-based vaccination technology may be warranted.

Source:

Robison S.G., et al. (2023, August 31). JAMA Netw Open. Association of Group B Meningococcal Vaccine Receipt With Reduced Gonorrhea Incidence Among University Students. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10472183/