Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) remains a low-incidence but high-impact condition in Europe, with rapid onset, high case fatality, and substantial long-term disability among survivors. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, IMD continues to cause severe health, social, and economic consequences across all ages.
Recent European data show that while incidence is highest in infants and young children, adults aged 50 years and over account for a growing share of cases and experience the highest mortality rates. Serogroup B remains the leading cause of IMD in most age groups, with increasing circulation of serogroups Y and W, particularly among older adults.
The policy brief highlights the availability of effective meningococcal vaccines but notes significant variation in national immunisation schedules across the EU, including differences in age targets, vaccine types, catch-up strategies, and access. Missed opportunities persist in adolescence, adulthood, and older age, despite evidence supporting a life-course approach to immunisation.
To address these challenges, the brief calls for strengthened surveillance, improved equity in access, better integration of vaccination across all life stages, and enhanced EU-level coordination to support evidence-based national strategies and shared learning
OTHER REPORTS
Is Preventive Medicine a Human Right?
MEP Interest Group on Life-course Immunisation Meeting Is Preventive Medicine a Human Right? On 9 September, the MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation held a virtual meeting to discuss whether preventive medicine, particularly vaccination, should be...
Winter Respiratory Viruses in Europe
Each winter, Europe faces a predictable but preventable surge of respiratory viruses, including influenza, COVID-19, RSV, pneumococcal disease, and hMPV. Older adults and those with chronic health conditions remain the most at risk, with seasonal waves placing...
Life Course Immunisation in Europe – National Empowerment Under EU-Set Goals
Vaccination across the life course is a fundamental pillar for resilient health systems and healthy aging. Despite this, adult vaccination remains one of the most underutilised public health tools across Europe. While all EU Member States run National Immunisation...
JOIN US
Contribute to global public health policy and protect population health.
Stride forward with us to prevent disease through widespread immunisation. Together, we can redefine health landscapes and contribute to a world where everyone, regardless of age, can be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
GET IN TOUCH
For general enquires, email:
secretariat@cl-ci.org
For research requests and opportunities, email:
research@cl-ci.org