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[Meningococcal vaccination: which one? When? Why?].
1Service de santé publique, groupe hospitalier La Pitié-La Salpêtrière, 75651 Paris 13. michel.rosenheim@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
La Revue Du Praticien
|June 5, 2004
Summary
Meningococcal vaccines prevent invasive meningococcal infections (IMI). Conjugated vaccines are effective from 2 months, while polysaccharide vaccines target specific strains for high-risk groups and travelers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Context:
- Invasive meningococcal infections (IMI) pose a significant public health threat.
- Two primary types of meningococcal vaccines exist: non-conjugated polysaccharide vaccines and conjugated polysaccharide vaccines.
- Conjugated vaccines offer earlier protection, effective from two months of age.
Purpose:
- To outline the available meningococcal vaccines and their applications.
- To define specific circumstances warranting vaccination against IMI.
- To discuss the implications of mass vaccination strategies.
Summary:
- Non-conjugated vaccines target serotypes A, C, W135, and Y, while conjugated vaccines primarily target serotype C.
- Vaccination is recommended for close contacts of IMI cases, pilgrims to Mecca, travelers to endemic areas, and during public health-driven mass vaccination campaigns.
- Generalized vaccination campaigns, particularly for serotype C, have been implemented in some European countries due to high incidence.
Impact:
- Vaccination strategies must balance effectiveness against the risk of immunoselection of other serotypes.
- The potential for spontaneous decreases in disease incidence should be considered when evaluating mass vaccination programs.
- Informed vaccination decisions are crucial for controlling the spread of invasive meningococcal disease.