The changing face of meningococcal disease in Birmingham,1999 to 2002

Abstract

In the UK, a vaccination schedule against meningococcal group C infection (Men C) was introduced in Autumn 1999. Also, vaccination against groups A, C, W135 and Y (ACWY Vax) was recommended from February 2001 for pilgrims to Hajj or Umrah, it becoming a visa requirement from May 2001. To assess the impact of these vaccination schedules, the notification for meningococcal infection for Birmingham residents (1.1 million) from 1999 to 2002 was reviewed.

Notifications received for meningococcal infection in Birmingham declined from 103 in 1999 to 58 in 2002. Additionally, the number of laboratory confirmed cases decreased from 52 in 1999 to 28 in 2002. Group C infection declined from 14 cases in 1999 to one case in 2002, attributed to the success of the `Meningitis C Vaccination' campaign. W135 infection showed a peak in Birmingham in 2000 and 2001, and a decline in 2002 once the ACWY became a visa requirement. The vaccination schedules have successfully reduced the incidence of meningococcal disease in Birmingham.