And, in a statement from Novartis, "When looking at the incidence of meningococcal disease, it is important to not only look at the number of cases but also the substantial life-long effects of the disease, which include significant psychosocial, economic, and emotional burden for victims’ families and their communities. Novartis believes that health care professionals and parents should have the choice to immunize infants against the potentially devastating consequences of this disease. We will continue our dialogue with the CDC and with ACIP prior to their vote on this matter in February, 2012.
"Infants are at highest risk for meningococcal disease due to the relative immaturity of their immune systems. Approximately 1 in 10 infants under 1 year of age die after contracting meningococcal disease, even with appropriate medical care, and as many as 1 in 5 will suffer serious life-long complications such as limb amputations, seizures, paralysis, hearing loss, and learning disabilities. The health care costs associated with meningococcal disease and the long-term management of its complications are substantial and present a significant public health burden.
"At Novartis, we are committed to eliminating meningococcal disease and we have made a significant effort to develop a safe and effective vaccine to help protect infants."
And, from GSK: "GlaxoSmithKline is committed to making MenHibrix available in the United States. We believe there is a clear public health benefit in recommending meningococcal vaccines for use in infants and toddlers in the United States. Rates of meningococcal disease are highest in infants and toddlers younger than 2 years of age. Approximately 300 cases of meningococcal disease from all serogroups were reported annually in the United States in this age group between 1998 and 2007."
As a CDC employee, Dr. Cohn has no conflicts of interest.
*Correction, 11/8/2011: An earlier version of this story gave the incorrect cost savings per QALY for infants and toddlers with certain doses of the vaccine.
**Correction, 11/9/2011: An earlier version of this story misstated the impact of the adolescent immunization program.