Natalie Desmond
National Immunisation Advisor
Immunisation Advisory Centre
University of Auckland
Press Release.
27 April 2005.
Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) Attributable to : Helen Petousis-Harris, Research Manager IMAC
Basic knowledge of immunology and statistics needed before interpretation of study warn University experts.
In response to : Meningococcal Vaccination risk in under 5 Yr olds – Ron Law & Barbara Sumner Burstyn
Law and Sumner Burstyn in their press release 26 April 2005 assume that a Canadian study of a polysaccharide
meningococcal C vaccine used in 1989/90 is somehow relevant to New Zealand’s meningococcal B disease epidemic. The most
significant point to note is that the polysaccharide vaccine in this Canadian study is completely different to the
MeNZB™ vaccine being used in New Zealand. The claims being made by Law and Sumner Burstyn are both irrelevant and
erroneous. It is well known that polysaccharide vaccines are not effective in young children, that is why they are not
usually offered to this age group. MeNZB™ vaccine is not a polysaccharide vaccine. The Canadian the study DOES NOT say
that vaccination against meningitis increases risk for the disease.
New Zealand MeNZB™ vaccine is an Outer Membrane Protein (OMP) vaccine which has demonstrated efficacy in young children.
It is well known that the young immune system is unable to respond effectively against bacteria that involve a
polysaccharide coating such as meningococcal bacteria. This is why young children are at particular risk from these
bacteria. This is also why it is so important to protect them from a young age.
ENDS