Quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine 'MenQuadfi' prescribed at gen hospitals

Landed at 23 medical institutions nationwide, including Seoul National University and Asan Medical Center

Help protect against serogroups A, C, Y, and W…confirmed non-inferiority compared with existing vaccines

Sanofi Korea's MenQuadfi

The quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine 'MenQuadfi' is now available by prescription at major general hospitals.

According to industry sources, Sanofi Korea's MenQuadfi (Meningococcal Polysaccharide Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine), indicated for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C, Y, and W), has passed the Drug Committees (DC) of 23 medical institutions nationwide. These include tertiary general hospitals such as Seoul National University Hospital and Asan Medical Center, as well as medical institutions, including Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Konkuk University Medical Center, National Medical Center, and Soonchunhyang University Hospital.

MenQuadfi was approved in Korea last April, and this drug is given as a  single-dose administration in individuals aged 6 weeks to 55 years.

Notably, MenQuadfi is the only vaccine in Korea approved with proven efficacy against meningococcal serogroup A in infants aged 6 weeks to less than 24 months. A key feature of the product is its ready-to-use liquid formulation, which eliminates the need for reconstitution or mixing, thereby enhancing convenience for healthcare providers. The immunization schedule consists of four doses for infants aged 6 weeks to less than 6 months, two doses for those aged 6 months to less than 24 months, and a single dose for individuals aged 2 to 55 years.

Meningococcal disease has been pointed out as a significant global public health concern. Classified as a Group 2 legal infectious disease with a fatality rate of approximately 10–14%, it affects 500,000 people worldwide annually.

Primary symptoms include headache, fever, neck stiffness, vomiting, and altered consciousness, often accompanied by petechiae or purpura fulminans. The importance of prevention is signified by the fact that 11–19% of survivors suffer from long-term sequelae, including hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and neurological disorders.

Since meningococcal disease is transmitted via respiratory droplets or direct contact, vaccination is highly recommended for individuals entering communal living environments. Typical candidates include military recruits and first-year college students who plan to live in dormitories.

Furthermore, vaccination is advised for travelers or residents in high-incidence areas such as the African meningitis areas, as well as pilgrims traveling to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Other recommended groups include individuals with immune system disorders, such as complement deficiencies, and those with anatomical or functional asplenia.

Meanwhile, in clinical trials, MenQuadfi demonstrated non-inferiority across all four serogroups compared to existing quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines. Specifically, in the 10–55 age group, the seroprotection rates for MenQuadfi were 94.7% in Group A, 95.7% in Group C, 96.2% in Group W, and 98.8% in Group Y.

Additionally, studies in children aged 2–9 years confirmed non-inferiority to existing quadrivalent vaccines, with seroprotection rates ranging from 86% to 99%. The vaccine also demonstrated stable immunogenicity when co-administered with other pediatric vaccines.