Effectiveness of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals S.A's Meningococcal Group B and Combined ABCWY Vaccines in Healthy Adolescents and Young Adults

A Phase III, Randomized, Controlled, Observer-blind Study to Demonstrate Effectiveness, Immunogenicity and Safety of GSK's Meningococcal Group B and Combined ABCWY Vaccines When Administered to Healthy Adolescents and Young Adults

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 doses or 3 doses of GSK's licenced meningococcal group B Bexsero (rMenB+OMV NZ) vaccine and of 2 doses of GSK's investigational combined meningococcal (MenABCWY) vaccine (GSK3536819A) in healthy adolescents and young adults. The immunogenicity and safety were evaluated in the study.

As per the feedback from the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), the scope of this post-marketing commitment study was extended to demonstrate the effectiveness, immunogenicity, and safety of GSK's investigational combined meningococcal ABCWY vaccine along with the rMenB+OMV NZ vaccine. Note that the rMenB+OMV and MenACWY vaccines provided to the MenB_0_2_6, MenB_0_6 group, and MenACWY group, respectively, at day 211 were only as part of the standard care of treatment and to maintain blinding. These vaccination schedules were not considered for any endpoint evaluations.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects or/and subjects' parent(s)/Legally Acceptable Representative(s) [LAR(s)] who, in the opinion of the investigator, can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol.

• Written or witnessed/thumb printed informed consent obtained from the subject/parent(s)/LAR(s) of the subject prior to performance of any study specific procedure.

• Written informed assent obtained from the subject (if applicable) prior to performing any study specific procedure.

• A male or female between, and including, 10 and 25 years of age (i.e. 25 years + 364 days) at the time of the first vaccination.

• Healthy subjects as established by medical history physical examination and clinical judgment of the investigator before entering into the study.

• Subjects who are either unvaccinated with MenACWY vaccine or have received a single previous dose of MenACWY vaccine can participate in the study, if they have received it at least 4 years prior to informed consent and assent as applicable (with the exception of meningococcal C vaccination, if the last dose of MenC was received at ≤24 months of age).

• Female subjects of non-childbearing potential may be enrolled in the study. Non-childbearing potential is defined as pre-menarche, current bilateral tubal ligation or occlusion, hysterectomy, bilateral ovariectomy or post-menopause*.

• Female subjects of childbearing potential may be enrolled in the study, if the subject:

  • has practiced adequate contraception for 30 days prior to vaccination, and

  • has a negative pregnancy test on the day of vaccination, and

  • has agreed to continue adequate contraception until 30 days after completion of Visit 6.

    • A female is considered to be of non-childbearing potential prior to menarche and after natural or induced menopause. Natural menopause is recognized to have occurred after 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea for which there is no other obvious pathological or physiological cause. Induced menopause is recognized to have occurred after hysterectomy, after bilateral oophorectomy, or iatrogenic ablation of ovarian function.

Exclusion Criteria:

Medical conditions

• Current or previous, confirmed or suspected disease caused by N. meningitidis.

• Household contact with and/or intimate exposure to an individual with laboratory confirmed N. meningitidis infection within 60 days of enrolment.

• Progressive, unstable or uncontrolled clinical conditions.

• Clinical conditions representing a contraindication to intramuscular vaccination and blood draws.

• Any neuroinflammatory, congenital neurological conditions, encephalopathies, seizures. History of febrile convulsions should not lead to exclusion.

• History of any reaction or hypersensitivity likely to be exacerbated by any component of the vaccine(s)/product(s).

  • Hypersensitivity, including allergy, to any component of vaccines, including diphtheria toxoid (CRM 197) and latex medicinal products or medical equipment whose use is foreseen in this study.

• Abnormal function or modification of the immune system resulting from:

  • Autoimmune disorders or immunodeficiency syndromes.
  • Systemic administration of corticosteroids (PO/IV/IM) for more than 14 consecutive days within 90 days prior to study vaccination until the post-vaccination 3 blood sample (Visit 6). This will mean prednisone - ≥20 mg/day (for adult subjects) or ≥0.5 mg/kg/day (for paediatric subjects), or equivalent. Inhaled and topical steroids are allowed.
  • Administration of antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents or radiotherapy within 90 days prior to study vaccination.
  • Administration of long-acting immune-modifying drugs at any time during the study period (e.g. infliximab).

• Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient condition, based on medical history and physical examination.

Prior/Concomitant therapy

• Use of any investigational or non-registered product other than the study vaccine(s)/product(s) during the period starting 30 days before the first dose of study vaccine(s)/product(s) (Day -29 to Day 1), or planned use during the study period.
• Previous vaccination against any group B meningococcal vaccine at any time prior to informed consent and assent as applicable.
• Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products or plasma derivatives during the period starting 90 days before the first dose of study vaccine/ product or planned administration during the study period until the post-vaccination 3 blood sample (Visit 6).
• Chronic administration (defined as more than 14 days in total) of immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs during the period starting 90 days prior to the vaccine/product dose(s) until the post-vaccination 3 blood sample (Visit 6). For corticosteroids, this will mean prednisone ≥20 mg/day (for adult subjects) or ≥0.5 mg/kg/day (for paediatric subjects), or equivalent. Inhaled and topical steroids are allowed.

Prior/Concurrent clinical study experience

• Concurrently participating in another clinical study, at any time during the study period, in which the subject has been or will be exposed to an investigational or a non-investigational vaccine/product.

Other exclusions

• Child in care.
• Pregnant or lactating female.
• Female planning to become pregnant or planning to discontinue contraceptive precautions.
• History of /current chronic alcohol abuse and/or drug abuse as determined by the investigator.
• Any study personnel or immediate dependants, family, or household member.