GSK has received a recommendation from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for its five-in-one meningococcal vaccine, Penmenvy.
The panel has advised that the vaccine may be administered as part of the routine immunisation schedule for adolescents aged 10 years and older, pending publication of official CDC guidance.
The ACIP voted in favour of using Penmenvy, a meningococcal vaccine covering serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y, as an alternative to the separate administration of MenACWY and MenB vaccines.
Under current US immunisation practice, these two vaccines are typically administered during the same clinic visit at age 16. The proposed recommendation allows for a single dose of Penmenvy to replace both, streamlining delivery and potentially improving immunisation uptake.
Penmenvy, known scientifically as the MenABCWY vaccine, combines the antigenic components of two of GSK’s approved vaccines. These include Bexsero, which targets serogroup B, and Menveo, which covers serogroups A, C, W, and Y.
This pentavalent formulation was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2025 for use in individuals aged 10 to 25 years.
GSK chief scientific officer Tony Wood said: “We welcome this positive recommendation that can help strengthen disease prevention efforts in the US.
“Pentavalent vaccines can reduce the number of injections required to help protect against invasive meningococcal disease – especially disease caused by serogroup B. Their use could improve immunisation rates among adolescents and young adults in the US, who are at an age with increased risk.”
The ACIP’s recommendation will be reviewed by the CDC and, if accepted, will be incorporated into the agency’s official immunisation schedules, which guide healthcare provider practice and insurance coverage.
Final approval will also determine whether Penmenvy becomes a standard option for adolescent meningococcal protection in the US.
The FDA’s earlier approval of Penmenvy followed a review of clinical studies demonstrating immune response and safety across the approved age range. ACIP’s recommendation now opens the path for broader public health adoption, pending final CDC endorsement.
Separately, the ACIP has also recommended the use of GSK’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Arexvy in adults aged 50 to 59 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. The recommendation expands on the June 2024 vote in favour of RSV vaccination for adults aged 60–74 with underlying conditions and all individuals aged 75 and older.
GSK stated that the new guidance follows a phase III trial (NCT05590403) that assessed immune responses and safety of the vaccine in adults aged 50–59. This included individuals with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart disease, or those in long-term care settings.
The ACIP’s updated recommendation is expected to undergo CDC review before publication. If adopted, it will be incorporated into the CDC’s formal guidelines to inform clinicians and support reimbursement frameworks.
