Immunogenicity and Safety of Meningococcal Vaccine GSK 134612 Versus Mencevax™ ACWY in Healthy 18-25 Year Olds

• Immunogenicity in all subjects with respect to components of the investigational vaccines and the control vaccine (on secondary readouts) [ Time Frame: Prior to and one month (31 Days) after vaccination ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Occurrence of solicited local and general symptoms. [ Time Frame: 4 Days (Days 0-3) following vaccination ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Occurrence of unsolicited non-serious and serious events, and new onset chronic illness. [ Time Frame: 31 Days (Days 0-30) following vaccination ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The purpose of the observer-blinded study is to determine the immunogenicity and safety of one dose of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals' meningococcal vaccine GSK 134612 compared to one dose of Mencevax™ ACWY in healthy subjects 18-25 years of age. In addition, this study will compare the immunogenicity of two lots of GSK's 134612 vaccine.

• Biological: Mencevax ACWY
  One dose, Subcutaneous injection
• Biological: GSK Biologicals' meningococcal serogroup A, C, W-135, Y tetanus toxoid conjugate investigational vaccine [GSK 134612]
  One dose, Intramuscular injection

• Experimental: Group A
  Not Applicable
  Intervention: Biological: GSK Biologicals' meningococcal serogroup A, C, W-135, Y tetanus toxoid conjugate investigational vaccine [GSK 134612]
• Experimental: Group B
  Not Applicable
  Intervention: Biological: GSK Biologicals' meningococcal serogroup A, C, W-135, Y tetanus toxoid conjugate investigational vaccine [GSK 134612]
• Active Comparator: Group C
  Not applicable
  Intervention: Biological: Mencevax ACWY

Inclusion Criteria:

All subjects must satisfy all of the following criteria at study entry:

• Subjects whom the investigator believes they can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol will be enrolled in the study.
• A male or female between, and including, 18 and 25 years of age the time of the vaccination.
• Written informed consent obtained from the subject.
• Healthy subjects as established by medical history and clinical examination before entering into the study.
• Female subjects of non-childbearing potential may be enrolled in the study.

• Female subjects of childbearing potential may be enrolled in the study, if the subject:

  • has practiced adequate contraception for 30 days prior to vaccination, and
  • has a negative pregnancy test on the day of vaccination, and
  • has agreed to continue adequate contraception during the entire treatment period and for 2 months after vaccination.

Exclusion Criteria:

The following criteria should be checked at the time of study entry. If any exclusion criterion applies, the subject must not be included in the study:

• Use of any investigational or non-registered product other than the study vaccine(s) within 30 days preceding the dose of study vaccine, or planned use during the study period.
• Chronic administration of immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs within six months prior to vaccination. (For corticosteroids, this will mean prednisone <10 mg/day, or equivalent, is allowed. Inhaled and topical steroids are allowed).
• Planned administration/administration of a vaccine not foreseen by the study protocol within one month of the dose of vaccine, with the exception of any licensed inactivated influenza vaccine, including H1N1 vaccine.
• Previous vaccination with meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine within the last five years.
• Previous vaccination with meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
• Previous vaccination with tetanus-toxoid or tetanus-toxoid containing vaccine within the last month.
• History of meningococcal disease.
• Seropositive for HIV or HBsAg (for subjects in the Philippines only).
• Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient condition, including human immunodeficiency virus infection, based on medical history and physical examination.
• A family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency, until the immune competence of the potential vaccine recipient has been demonstrated.
• History of reactions or allergic disease likely to be exacerbated by any component of either vaccine.
• History of any neurologic disorders, including Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
• Major congenital defects or serious chronic illness.
• Acute disease at the time of enrolment.
• Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the three months preceding the dose of study vaccine or planned administration during the study period.
• Pregnant or lactating female.
• History of chronic alcohol consumption and/or drug abuse.
• Female planning to become pregnant or planning to discontinue contraceptive precautions.
• Bleeding disorders, such as thrombocytopenia, or subjects on anti-coagulant therapy.
• Concurrently participating in another clinical study, at any time during the study period, in which the subject has been or will be exposed to an investigational or a non-investigational product.