Enter B and W: two new meningococcal vaccine programmes launched

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Microbiology

Background:

• The UK introduced the world's first comprehensive routine meningococcal vaccine program in 2015.
• This program targets all major capsular groups of Neisseria meningitidis.
• It addresses both endemic disease and outbreaks caused by specific strains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a dual-pronged national meningococcal vaccination strategy.
• To reduce endemic meningococcal group B (MenB) disease in infants.
• To control a growing outbreak of meningococcal group W (MenW) disease in adolescents and maintain MenC control.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of an infant vaccination program against MenB.
• Rollout of an adolescent vaccination program against MenACWY.
• Monitoring of disease incidence and outbreak trends.

Main Results:

• The UK became the first nation with a routine program covering all key meningococcal groups.
• Infant MenB vaccination aimed to decrease early childhood disease.
• Adolescent MenACWY vaccination was initiated to curb MenW outbreaks and sustain MenC protection.

Conclusions:

• The UK's 2015 strategy represents a significant advancement in meningococcal disease prevention.
• The program aims for broad protection against serogroups B, A, C, W, and Y.
• This comprehensive approach seeks to reduce the overall burden of meningococcal disease.