Naval Health Research Center Surveillance for Meningococcal Disease

Area of Science:

• Military Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Meningococcal disease historically posed a significant threat to U.S. military personnel.
• Mandatory meningococcal vaccination policies were implemented in the 1970s, leading to a >90% reduction in disease rates.
• Recent data indicate meningococcal disease incidence in the military is comparable to the general U.S. population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term impact of meningococcal vaccination in U.S. military personnel.
• To assess current trends and identify any emerging challenges in meningococcal disease prevention within the military.
• To underscore the importance of continued surveillance and research.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of historical and recent incidence data of meningococcal disease in active duty military personnel.
• Surveillance data from 2013-2017, including a specific 6-month period (Sept 2016-Feb 2017), were examined.
• Case investigation to determine if infections involved vaccine-prevented strains.

Main Results:

• Meningococcal disease incidence in active duty personnel was 0.21 cases per 100,000 person-years (2013-2017).
• During Sept 2016-Feb 2017, six cases were reported; only one was a vaccine-covered strain.
• Vaccination has drastically reduced overall cases, but sporadic occurrences persist.

Conclusions:

• Meningococcal vaccination remains highly effective in reducing disease burden in the U.S. military.
• Ongoing surveillance is crucial for detecting sporadic cases and understanding evolving disease epidemiology.
• Continued research is vital for informing vaccine policy and developing next-generation vaccines.