Update as of 09 February 2026: Since the public consultation and appeals period for the HTA Council Preliminary Recommendation on Meningococcal Polysaccharide Groups A, C, W-135 And Y conjugate vaccine for active immunization of individuals from the age of 6 weeks against invasive meningococcal diseases caused by 𝙉𝙚𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙨 group A, C, W-135 and Y ended on 06 February 2026 without any appeals received, this preliminary HTA Council recommendation lapsed into the Final Recommendation and was transmitted to the Secretary of Health for decision

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As of 23 January 2026, the Health Technology Assessment Council has completed the evidence appraisal on the assessment of Meningococcal polysaccharide groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine for active immunization of individuals aged 6 weeks to 18 years old; populations at high-risk for invasive diseases* against invasive meningococcal diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis group A, C, W-135 and Y, for government financing. The HTA Council hereby releases its preliminary recommendation on the said health technology for stakeholder feedback and comments from 23 January to 6 February 2026.

This health technology was also reviewed against the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for authorization, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) [local and approved by the Department of Health (DOH), such as the DOH Omnibus Health Guidelines (OHG); and/or international, but locally adopted guidelines], and existing recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, a cost analysis of this health technology was conducted.

As a preliminary recommendation, the HTA Council – Core Committee and Subcommittees recommend the government financing of MenACWY-TT with priority for:

1. areas with high incidence
2. populations at high-risk for invasive diseases*, regardless of their region

*population at high-risk for invasive disease as defined by PIDSP guidelines (2026) and WHO Meningococcal Vaccine position paper (2011):

• Persistent complement component deficiencies (including those with inherited or chronic deficiencies in C3, C5-9, properdin, factor D, factor H)
• Use of complement inhibitors
• Anatomic/functional asplenia (including sickle cell disease)
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Travelers to or resident of areas where meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic
• Men who have sex with men
• Adolescents and college students in congregate settings
• Belonging to a defined risk group during a community or institutional meningococcal outbreak
• Laboratory workers at risk of exposure to meningococci

to be rolled out, contingent on resource availability, acknowledging that despite its high cost and impact on the DOH National Immunization Program (NIP) budget, it will be beneficial for the target population as it mitigates invasive meningococcal diseases. Specifically, the HTA Council – Core Committee and Subcommittees recommend the following meningococcal vaccines for the specific age groups:

1. Infants 6 weeks to <12 months
   • MenACWY-TT 5 μg/0.5mL, lyophilized powder for solution for injection (IM)
2. Children ≥12 months
   • MenACWY-TT 5 μg/0.5mL, lyophilized powder for solution for injection (IM)
   • MenACWY-TT 10 μg/0.5 mL, solution for injection (IM)

Given the high budget impact of these vaccines, the HTA Council Core Committee and Subcommittees strongly recommend price negotiation and other price-lowering strategies.

For the supporting evidence reviewed and discussed by the HTA Council, please refer to the advisory and the evidence document below.

All comments, inputs, and/or appeals on the above preliminary recommendation may be submitted for the consideration by the HTA Council, through email at hta@dost.gov.ph. Please use the prescribed form for appeals indicated in the official HTA Philippines website [https://hta.dost.gov.ph/appeals-2/]. Appeals not following the prescribed format, and those submitted beyond the deadline shall not be entertained.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the preliminary recommendation, please contact us through the same email address.