Evaluating the Public Health Impact of Adolescent Meningococcal B (MenB) Vaccination in France: A Modeling Approach
Author(s)
Joël Gaudelus, MD1, Patricia Merhant-Sorel, -2, George Nikitas, PhD, MSc3, Laure-Anne Cussac, PhD, PharmD4, Capucine Lachaize, PharmD5, Hélène Cawston, -6, Astrid Foix-Colonier, MSc7, Anthony Chechoi, MSc6, Elise Kuylen, PhD8.
1Université de Paris-XIII, Bobigny, France, 2Association Petit Ange, Ensemble Contre La Méningite, Jarcieu, France, 3GSK, Athens, Greece, 4GSK, Rueil Malmaison, France, 5GSK, Rueil-Malmaison, France, 6Amaris, Saint-Herblain, France, 7Amaris consulting, Saint-Herblain, France, 8GSK, Wavre, Belgium.
1Université de Paris-XIII, Bobigny, France, 2Association Petit Ange, Ensemble Contre La Méningite, Jarcieu, France, 3GSK, Athens, Greece, 4GSK, Rueil Malmaison, France, 5GSK, Rueil-Malmaison, France, 6Amaris, Saint-Herblain, France, 7Amaris consulting, Saint-Herblain, France, 8GSK, Wavre, Belgium.
OBJECTIVES: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is relatively uncommon but has a high case fatality rate (CFR) and important long-term sequelae. Since April 2025 meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccination is reimbursed in France in individuals aged 15-24 years who wish to get vaccinated. The objective of this study was to assess the public health impact (PHI) of routine MenB vaccination for adolescents in France.
METHODS: A dynamic transmission model was developed using French and international epidemiological data. The model compared the current vaccination strategy, including mandatory MenB vaccination in infants, to a strategy which adds a 2-dose MenB vaccination series in adolescents at 15 years, assuming 83.5% effectiveness against MenB IMD after 2 doses, based on available real-world evidence. Outcomes were projected over a 100-year time horizon, with a vaccination coverage of 40%. Scenario analyses considered vaccination at 14 years, which coincides with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at schools.
RESULTS: Adolescent MenB vaccination at 15 years is estimated to avert up to 1,023 MenB IMD cases and 37 associated deaths, alongside an important decrease in long-term sequelae. Quality adjusted life year (QALY) gains were substantial, with 1,440 QALY losses averted for deaths, and 1,376 for long-term sequelae. Vaccinating adolescents at 14 years of age is projected to avert 975 MenB IMD cases when assuming a coverage of 40%. However, assuming an improved coverage of 55% due to facilitating implementation, it could avoid up to 1,346 MenB IMD cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Introducing routine MenB vaccination for adolescents could substantially reduce the burden of IMD. This supports inclusion of adolescent MenB immunization in France’s national vaccination program. Vaccination at 14 years together with HPV vaccination at schools may increase coverage and facilitate access, potentially leading to improved PHI. However, as IMD incidence peaks in older adolescents, a trade-off needs to be made between epidemiological factors and implementation opportunities.
METHODS: A dynamic transmission model was developed using French and international epidemiological data. The model compared the current vaccination strategy, including mandatory MenB vaccination in infants, to a strategy which adds a 2-dose MenB vaccination series in adolescents at 15 years, assuming 83.5% effectiveness against MenB IMD after 2 doses, based on available real-world evidence. Outcomes were projected over a 100-year time horizon, with a vaccination coverage of 40%. Scenario analyses considered vaccination at 14 years, which coincides with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at schools.
RESULTS: Adolescent MenB vaccination at 15 years is estimated to avert up to 1,023 MenB IMD cases and 37 associated deaths, alongside an important decrease in long-term sequelae. Quality adjusted life year (QALY) gains were substantial, with 1,440 QALY losses averted for deaths, and 1,376 for long-term sequelae. Vaccinating adolescents at 14 years of age is projected to avert 975 MenB IMD cases when assuming a coverage of 40%. However, assuming an improved coverage of 55% due to facilitating implementation, it could avoid up to 1,346 MenB IMD cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Introducing routine MenB vaccination for adolescents could substantially reduce the burden of IMD. This supports inclusion of adolescent MenB immunization in France’s national vaccination program. Vaccination at 14 years together with HPV vaccination at schools may increase coverage and facilitate access, potentially leading to improved PHI. However, as IMD incidence peaks in older adolescents, a trade-off needs to be made between epidemiological factors and implementation opportunities.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
SA39
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Decision Modeling & Simulation
Disease
Pediatrics, Rare & Orphan Diseases, Vaccines