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

Abstract

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

Infectious Respiratory Diseases Decreased during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea

“…In 2017, the WHO certified South Korea as the first country in the Western Pacific region to eradicate rubella [ 30 ]. Although there were great concerns about the under-reported incidence of MD [ 31 ], the diagnostic methods used in South Korea were unchanged throughout the studied years [ 32 ]. Therefore, despite very small numbers of new cases detected annually, the incidences of measles, rubella, and MD were significantly reduced in the intervention period, suggesting that the COVID-19 mitigation measures may not only sustain, but even strengthen the successes gained in managing these diseases in South Korea.…”

An 8-Year Prospective, Observational, Multi-centre Post-Marketing Safety Surveillance Study Conducted in South Korea (2014–2022) Following the Introduction of GSK’s Inactivated Quadrivalent Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (Fluarix Tetra) for Subjects Aged 6 Months and Older

“…The study did not conduct an efficacy analysis. The study design was similar to other PMS studies conducted in Korea for tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and the acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine [ 10 ]; diphtheria; tetanus; acellular pertussis and the inactivated poliovirus (DTaP-IPV) vaccine [ 11 ]; meningococcal A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) vaccine [ 12 ]; and to PMS studies with similar design and larger sample sizes for MF59-adjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza subunit vaccine [ 13 ] and rotavirus vaccine [ 14 ].…”