Overview of meningococcal epidemiology and national immunization programs in children and adolescents in 8 Western European countries
Gaëlle Pinto Cardoso, Marion Lagrée-Chastan, Marion Caséris, J. Gaudelus, H. Haas, Jean‐Philippe Leroy, P. Bakhache, Jean‐François Pujol, A. Werner, Marie‐Aliette Dommergues, Emilie Pauquet, Didier Pinquier
Abstract
Background In Europe, meningococcal (Men) vaccines are available against 5 of the 6 serogroups responsible of nearly all cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Meningococcal vaccination has been introduced in the national immunization programs (NIPs) for children and adolescents of numerous European countries, but with no consistent strategy across countries. Objectives To describe IMD epidemiology, NIPs, and vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) in children and adolescents in 8 Western European countries. Methods Epidemiological data (from 1999 to 2019), NIPs regarding meningococcal vaccination status, and VCRs were collected from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and/or national websites. Results MenB was the most common serogroup. In Belgium, Spain, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom (UK), and Portugal, incidence was greater for MenW than MenC. In 2019, MenB risk was covered in 2 countries (Italy, UK). MenC risk was covered in all countries, via MenC only (countries: N = 3), MenACWY only ( N = 2), or MenC (infants/children) and MenACWY (adolescents) ( N = 3) vaccination. VCRs were higher in children than adolescents. Conclusion Our study confirmed the diversity of NIPs, including in neighboring European countries with similar factors like economic resources and epidemiological risk, thus indicating that other factors underlie NIPs. Convergence toward a more common immunization program including MenACWY and MenB vaccination would promote equity and safe travel regarding infectious diseases for young people, and possibly improve the understanding of vaccination by patients and healthcare professionals.