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

Alderson, Mark R; LaForce, F Marc; Sobanjo-Ter Meulen, Ajoke; Hwang, Angela; Preziosi, Marie-Pierre; Klugman, Keith P · J Infect Dis · 2019

review · Level V

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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.

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