SK bioscience said on the 9th that it introduced the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine "MenQuadfi" in Korea in cooperation with Sanofi Korea.
The vaccine can be given from 6 weeks of age through 55 years and prevents invasive meningococcal disease caused by the major serogroups A, C, W and Y. SK bioscience is responsible for domestic distribution and supply of the vaccine.
Meningococcal infection is a communicable disease transmitted through respiratory secretions such as nasal discharge or saliva. It can reside without symptoms in the nose and throat of healthy people and, when immunity weakens, penetrate the blood or brain to cause meningitis or sepsis. Symptoms can worsen quickly, and even with treatment it can lead to death or neurological sequelae, making prevention important.
Among A, C, W and Y meningococcal vaccines approved in Korea, MenQuadfi is the only product that includes serogroup A and can be used for infants from 6 weeks to under 24 months of age. In particular, it is a fully liquid formulation that can be administered immediately without a separate dilution process, which the company said can simplify preparation in clinical settings and reduce the possibility of administration errors.
Each dose is 0.5 mL administered intramuscularly. Infants from 6 weeks to under 6 months receive a total of four doses, those from 6 months to under 24 months receive two doses, and those 2 years and older receive one dose.
Ahn Jae-yong, president of SK bioscience, said, "With the introduction of this vaccine, the options for preventing meningococcal disease in infants and children have expanded," and added, "We will continue to improve Korea's infectious disease prevention environment through cooperation with global partners."
Meanwhile, SK bioscience has supplied infant and child vaccines in Korea, including the hexavalent combination vaccine "Hexaxim," in partnership with Sanofi. Last year, it launched "Beyfortus," an antibody injection to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and is expanding a portfolio that spans vaccines and preventive antibodies.