What You Need to Know
Penmenvy (GSK), newly licensed in February 2025, joins Penbraya (Pfizer) as a recommended alternative to giving separate MenACWY and MenB vaccines when both are indicated at the same visit, based on moderate evidence in healthy adolescents and young adults.
Clinical trials showed similar short-term and 2-year seroprotection for most serogroup B antigens, though the pentavalent vaccine produced lower antibody responses to PorA, a potentially important antigen—an effect whose clinical significance remains unclear.
Data are lacking on real-world disease prevention, long-term immunity to ACWY serogroups, and coadministration with other vaccines; however, safety profiles were comparable to separate vaccines, with serious adverse events being rare.
Although PorA is likely responsible for broad cross-protection against various serogroup B strains, Amin and colleagues indicate that the clinical implications of the reduced PorA response are unknown "as differences in titer assay choices and circulating strains make comparing data across studies complex".
"In addition," they note, "whether the reduced response might result from immune interference could not be assessed because of limited data comparing titers after 2 doses given 2 months apart, rather than 6 months apart.The overall level of certainty for the evidence regarding short-term immunity was moderate for healthy persons and low for persons at increased risk for meningococcal disease."
Amin and colleagues found no studies evaluating the persistence (>1 year post vaccination) of immunity against serogroups A,C,W, and Y. Both the pentavalent and control group, however, were similarly likely to have seroprotective antibody titers against all four serogroup B antigens two years after vaccination.
"The overall level of certainty for the evidence regarding persistent immunity was low for healthy persons and very low for persons at increased risk for meningococcal disease," they concluded.
The safety reports were comparable, with serious adverse events related to any vaccine dose being rare and as likely to occur with the pentavalent vaccine as the combination used in the control group.
In the clinical guidance, the use of same manufacturer for the MenB series is emphasized.If doses from multiple manufactures have been used, an additional complete series with one manufacturer should be provided.
"Providers should always check the packaging label to be certain they are administering the intended vaccine product to the recipient," Amin and colleagues advise.
Reference
1. Amin AB, Collins JP, Dong X, et al. Use of the GSK MenACWY-CRM/MenB-4C pentavalent meningococcal vaccine among persons aged ≥10 years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2025. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2026; 75:7-14.
