The Global Meningococcal Initiative: global epidemiology, the impact of vaccines on meningococcal disease and the importance of herd protection. (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borrow, Ray; Alarcón, Pedro; Carlos, Josefina; Caugant, Dominique A.; Christensen, Hannah; Debbag, Roberto; De Wals, Philippe; Echániz-Aviles, Gabriela; Findlow, Jamie; Head, Chris; Holt, Daphne; Kamiya, Hajime; Saha, Samir K; Sidorenko, Sergey; Taha, Muhamed-Kheir; Trotter, Caroline; Vázquez Moreno, Julio A.; von Gottberg, Anne; Sáfadi, Marco A. P.
• Is Part Of: Expert review of vaccines. Volume 16:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 313
• Page End: 328
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Global Meningococcal Initiative -- meningococcal disease -- MenW -- Neisseria meningitidis -- outbreaks -- prevention -- serogroups -- surveillance -- vaccination; Vaccines -- Periodicals; Vaccination -- Periodicals; 615.37205
• DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2017.1258308
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-0584

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : The 2015 Global Meningococcal Initiative (GMI) meeting discussed the global importance of meningococcal disease (MD) and its continually changing epidemiology. Areas covered : Although recent vaccination programs have been successful in reducing incidence in many countries (e.g. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup [Men]C in Brazil, MenA in the African meningitis belt), new clones have emerged, causing outbreaks (e.g. MenW in South America, MenC in Nigeria and Niger). The importance of herd protection was highlighted, emphasizing the need for high vaccination uptake among those with the highest carriage rates, as was the need for boosters to maintain individual and herd protection following decline of immune response after primary immunization. Expert commentary : The GMI Global Recommendations for Meningococcal Disease were updated to include a recommendation to enable access to whole-genome sequencing as for surveillance, guidance on strain typing to guide use of subcapsular vaccines, and recognition of the importance of advocacy and awareness campaigns.