This article, published in Expert Review of Vaccines, discusses morbidity and mortality due to meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 and the ability of monovalent meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccines to reduce the burden of disease. Evidence from MCC and other conjugate vaccine initiatives supports immunization initiated as a late-infancy/toddler program for prevention of disease caused by serogroups C, Y, and W-135. Based on the review, the authors propose that a meningococcal vaccination program focused on later infancy and the early second year of life should be the preferred approach, providing comparable effectiveness to an early-infant strategy with fewer overall doses and greater cost-effectiveness. ABSTRACT ONLY. (Learn how users in developing countries can gain free access to journal articles.)

Author(s): Pelton SI, Gilmet GP

Published: 2009

Resource types: Peer-reviewed journal

Diseases: Meningococcus

Topics: Disease burden and surveillance; Disease/vaccine specific information

Regions: Global