International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Need for Optimisation of Immunisation Strategies Targeting Invasive Meningococcal Disease in the Netherlands

Document Type : Policy Brief

Authors
Josefien Cornelie Minthe Bousema
Joost Ruitenberg
Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
10.15171/ijhpm.2015.168
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a severe bacterial infectious disease with high mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. In recent years, industrialised countries have implemented vaccines targeting IMD in their National Immunisation Programmes (NIPs). In 2002, the Netherlands successfully implemented a single dose of meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine at the age of 14 months and performed a single catch-up for children ≤18 years of age. Since then the disease disappeared in vaccinated individuals. Furthermore, herd protection was induced, leading to a significant IMD reduction in non-vaccinated individuals. However, previous studies revealed that the current programmatic immunisation strategy was insufficient to protect the population in the foreseeable future. In addition, vaccines that provide protection against additional serogroups are now available. This paper describes to what extent the current strategy to prevent IMD in the Netherlands is still sufficient, taking into account the burden of disease and the latest scientific knowledge related to IMD and its prevention. In particular, primary MenC immunisation seems not to provide long-term protection, indicating a risk for possible recurrence of the disease. This can be combatted by implementing a MenC or MenACWY adolescent booster vaccine. Additional health benefits can be achieved by replacing the primary MenC by a MenACWY vaccine. By implementation of a recently licensed MenB vaccine for infants in the NIP, the greatest burden of disease would be targeted. This paper shows that optimisation of the immunisation strategy targeting IMD in the Netherlands should be considered and contributes to create awareness concerning prevention optimisation in other countries.
Keywords
Immunisation
Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD)
National Immunisation Programme (NIP)
Prevention
Public Health
Vaccines
Subjects
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  • Received Date 27 August 2015
  • Revised Date 10 September 2015
  • Accepted Date 11 September 2015
  • First Published Date 01 November 2015
  • Published Date 01 November 2015