Meningitis vaccine gets registration

An important vaccine that prevents meningococcal disease – a life-threatening infection that is used to describe meningitis – has received its registration certificate in the region, making it the only registered vaccine of its kind in the UAE.

Menactra, produced by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of pharmaceutical group Sanofi-Aventis, is only one of two meningococcal conjugate vaccines available worldwide, with Menactra launching first in the US in 2005. Earlier this year, rival company Novartis launched Menveo. However, it is yet to be registered in the UAE.

The vaccine is of high importance during Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage as there have been multiple meningococcal outbreaks over the years with up to 20 per cent visitors returning home with meningococcal bacteria.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.