Russia’s First Quadrivalent Vaccine “Mentetra” Receives Registration
Petrovax Pharm has officially registered a new conjugate quadrivalent vaccine called “Mentetra” for the prevention of meningococcal infection. The vaccine protects against four meningococcal serogroups: A, C, W, and Y, significantly expanding coverage compared to previous vaccines.
The registration certificate was obtained in 2026, although the data has yet to appear in the state drug registry. The arrival of a domestically produced vaccine with a complete production cycle inside Russia marks an important milestone toward including the vaccine in the National Immunization Schedule (NIS).
Full-Cycle Production and Petrovax Pharm’s Investments
Petrovax Pharm has invested over 3 billion rubles to localize production of the Mentetra vaccine within Russia. This ensures independence from imported supplies and strengthens the country’s pharmaceutical industry.
The company plans that by early 2027, the factory’s capacity will allow for the production of more than 6 million doses annually. This scale will greatly improve the vaccine’s availability across various regions and support mass immunization efforts.
Significance for the National Immunization Schedule
The Ministry of Health initially intended to include the meningococcal vaccine in the National Immunization Schedule by the end of 2025, but the timeline has shifted to 2027. Currently, meningococcal vaccination is not part of the NIS; vaccines are only purchased by certain regions or used in epidemic situations.
The emergence of a vaccine with full-cycle domestic production is a key prerequisite for its inclusion in the federal schedule, which will enable systematic nationwide protection and reduce the risk of infection outbreaks.
Rising Incidence and Epidemiological Characteristics
According to Rospotrebnadzor, meningococcal infection incidence increased 2.7 times in 2025 compared to the previous year. This rise points to a growing public health threat.
Special attention is given to labor migrants from neighboring countries, who account for about 36% of cases. This population lacks immunity to meningococcal serogroups, especially serogroup A circulating in Russia, highlighting the need to increase vaccination coverage among migrants.
Other Domestic Meningococcal Vaccine Developments
Besides Petrovax Pharm, other Russian research institutions are developing their own meningococcal vaccines. Notably, the Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums is working on creating effective formulations.
This diversity of domestic developments helps foster a competitive market and strengthens the national immune defense, which is crucial for preventing and controlling meningococcal infection in Russia.
Conclusion: The registration of the Mentetra vaccine with localized production lays the groundwork for expanding meningococcal vaccination in Russia and enhancing epidemiological safety.