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Ewe K, Fathima P, Effler P, Giele C, Richmond P. Impact of Meningococcal ACWY Vaccination Program during 2017-18 Epidemic, Western Australia, Australia. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:270-278. [PMID: 38270172 PMCID: PMC10826768 DOI: 10.3201/eid3002.230144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The rising incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W in Western Australia, Australia, presents challenges for prevention. We assessed the effects of a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccination program using 2012-2020 IMD notification data. Notification rates peaked at 1.8/100,000 population in 2017; rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations were 7 times higher than for other populations. Serogroup W disease exhibited atypical manifestations and increased severity. Of 216 cases, 20 IMD-related deaths occurred; most (19/20) were in unvaccinated persons. After the 2017-2018 targeted vaccination program, notification rates decreased from 1.6/100,000 population in 2018 to 0.9/100,000 population in 2019 and continued to decline in 2020. Vaccine effectiveness (in the 1-4 years age group) using the screening method was 93.6% (95% CI 50.1%-99.2%) in 2018 and 92.5% (95% CI 28.2%-99.2%) in 2019. Strategic planning and prompt implementation of targeted vaccination programs effectively reduce IMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Effler
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Perth, Western Australia, Australia (K. Ewe, P. Fathima, P. Richmond)
- Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth (K. Ewe, P. Richmond)
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (P. Fathima)
- Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Western Australia Department of Health, Perth (P. Effler, C. Giele)
- University of Western Australia School of Medicine, Perth (P. Richmond)
| | - Carolien Giele
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Perth, Western Australia, Australia (K. Ewe, P. Fathima, P. Richmond)
- Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth (K. Ewe, P. Richmond)
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (P. Fathima)
- Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Western Australia Department of Health, Perth (P. Effler, C. Giele)
- University of Western Australia School of Medicine, Perth (P. Richmond)
| | - Peter Richmond
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Perth, Western Australia, Australia (K. Ewe, P. Fathima, P. Richmond)
- Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth (K. Ewe, P. Richmond)
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (P. Fathima)
- Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Western Australia Department of Health, Perth (P. Effler, C. Giele)
- University of Western Australia School of Medicine, Perth (P. Richmond)
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