Novartis vaccine Bexsero® sees high uptake in first large-scale public vaccination program to help protect against devastating meningitis B

Novartis International AG / Novartis vaccine Bexsero® sees high uptake in first large-scale public vaccination program to help protect against devastating meningitis B . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Program in Québec's Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is the first public campaign globally to offer Bexsero to all from 2 months to 20 years of age[1]
   
• More than 45,000 infants, young children and adolescents included in the program have already received at least one dose of Bexsero[2] 
   
• Swift implementation, within 6 months of approval, marks a milestone in helping to protect at-risk groups, particularly infants and adolescents, against meningitis B

Basel, July 29, 2014 - Novartis has announced the initial results of a large-scale vaccination campaign with Bexsero^® (Meningococcal Group B Vaccine [rDNA, component, adsorbed]) to help protect against meningitis B within the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Québec, Canada. This public program adds to the growing real-world experience of Bexsero, which is approved in 34 countries, including the European Union, Australia and Canada[3],[4],[5],[6].

This regional program is the first of its kind globally and has reached 81% of the campaign's target population within the first three months[2]. This encompasses more than 45,000 infants, young children and adolescents from 2 months to 20 years of age[2]. The high rate of uptake in this public vaccination program with Bexsero demonstrates the value placed on preventing meningitis B within communities that are afforded access.

"A high level of uptake through a public vaccination program is critical to achieving community-wide protection against a devastating and unpredictable disease like meningitis B," said Andrin Oswald, Division Head, Novartis Vaccines. "Thanks to the decisive leadership and urgency with which the public health officials in Québec have acted, lives will likely be saved. We are committed to continuing to work with health authorities globally to ensure public access to Bexsero."

Ninety-four percent of Québec's invasive meningococcal disease cases in those aged 1-24 years old were caused by meningitis B between 2009 and 2011[7]. In the past few years, the number of people infected with meningitis B has been higher in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region than in other Québec regions, relative to the population[1]. The decision to implement this vaccination campaign in the region was based on experts' recommendations, following Bexsero's approval in Canada in December 2013 for use in individuals from 2 months to 17 years of age[1],[6]. Second doses of Bexsero will be available in the fall of this year and the program will conclude on December 31, 2014[2].