Meningococci are a family of bacteria that cause very dangerous and contagious meningitis. In 2023, 560 cases of invasive meningococcal infections were reported, an increase of 72% compared to 2022.
The incidence rate of reported cases was highest among children under one year old (56 cases, or 8.2 cases/100,000 inhabitants) and was also high among young adults aged 15 to 24 (101 cases, or 1.2 Cases/100,.000 inhabitants). Currently, only menedococcal B and C vaccinations are affected. Vaccination against mening bacterium C is compulsory for children under 1 year of age, while vaccination against B is only recommended. In infants, first, where vaccination against all strains (A, B, C, W and Y) will be compulsory. In adolescents, then, a booster dose against A, C,. W, and Y will be recommended between 11 and 14 years of age. The government should soon announce that vaccination will become much broader.