Meningococcal disease epidemiology in Australia 10 years after implementation of a national conjugate meningococcal C

G L Lawrence1, H Wang2, M Lahra3

  • 1School of Public Health and Community Medicine,University of New South Wales,Sydney,NSW,Australia.

Insights

Australia

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Australia introduced conjugate meningococcal C immunization in 2003.
  • A single dose at 12 months and catch-up campaigns were implemented.
  • Booster doses are being considered globally to sustain disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess long-term vaccine coverage and impact of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine.
  • To evaluate the incidence and mortality of invasive serogroup C disease.
  • To review confirmed vaccine failures over a decade.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Australian disease surveillance and vaccine coverage data.
  • Analyzed invasive serogroup C disease incidence and mortality trends.
  • Reviewed documented vaccine failures post-immunization.

Main Results:

  • Vaccine coverage reached 93% in infants and 70% in catch-up cohorts.
  • Invasive serogroup C disease incidence decreased by 96% over 10 years.
  • Only three serogroup C deaths occurred in 2010-2012, compared to 68 in 2000-2002.

Conclusions:

  • A single dose of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine has led to near elimination of serogroup C disease.
  • No increasing trend in vaccine failures was observed in the first decade.
  • Serogroup B incidence also declined by 55% concurrently.

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