The authors of this article, published in The American Journal of Epidemiology, use data on immunization with serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccines in England and Wales to develop and apply a mathematical model that investigates the direct and indirect (herd immunity) effects of a conjugate vaccine program. Analysis of different vaccine strategies under the model suggests that a routine infant vaccination program without a catch-up component is the least effective vaccination strategy because children are protected for only a short period of time and herd effects are minimal.

Author(s): Trotter CL, Gay NJ, Edmunds WJ

Published: 2005

Resource types: Peer-reviewed journal

Diseases: Meningococcus

Topics: Disease/vaccine specific information

Regions: North America and Europe