Modern trends in mortality from meningococcal disease in Australia

Between 1979 and 2006, there were 610 deaths recorded as due to meningococcal disease in Australia. Mortality rates per capita consistently increased on average by 6% per annum between 1979 and 2002, but then fell significantly in 2003, coinciding with the introduction of the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine. In 2002, the mortality rate was 0.24 per 100,000. In the 4 years since, it fell progressively to 0.06 per 100,000. Since the introduction of conjugate Hib and pneumococcal vaccines, meningococcal disease has emerged as the number 1 infectious cause of death in children but conjugate meningococcal C vaccine appears to have greatly reduced total meningococcal disease deaths.