Eliminating Meningococcal Epidemics From the African Meningitis Belt: The Case for Advanced Prevention and Control Using Next-Generation Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines

J Infect Dis. 2019 Oct 31;220(220 Suppl 4):S274-S278. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz297.

Abstract

The introduction and rollout of a meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine, MenAfriVac, in the African meningitis belt has eliminated serogroup A meningococcal infections for >300 million Africans. However, serogroup C, W, and X meningococci continue to circulate and have been responsible for focal epidemics in meningitis belt countries. Affordable multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines are being developed to prevent these non-A epidemics. This article describes the current epidemiologic situation and status of vaccine development and highlights questions to be addressed to most efficiently use these new vaccines.

Keywords: epidemic prevention; meningitis belt; multivalent meningococcal vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Africa / epidemiology
  • Disease Eradication* / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / epidemiology
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / prevention & control
  • Meningococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology
  • Neisseria meningitidis / immunology*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / immunology

Substances

  • MenAfriVac
  • Meningococcal Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Conjugate