The Balmis Vaccine Institute calls for strengthening the prevention of meningitis, the incidence of which has increased by 35% this year

SEVILLE, April 26. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The Balmis Vaccine Institute insists on the “need to promote and strengthen the prevention of meningococcal meningitis through vaccination” as part of the global roadmap set by the World Health Organization (WHO) to “beat meningitis by 2030”.

This is all on the occasion of WHO’s World Immunization Week, which is observed until next Tuesday. The Balmis Vaccine Institute pointed out in a note that cases of meningococcal meningitis in Spain increased by 35% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the latest epidemiological bulletin from the Carlos III Institute of Health.

Thus, he pointed out that the main reason for this increase is due to group B meningococcus, “a trend that has been observed for the last three years after a decline caused by measures to contain Covid-19.” “The relaxation of these measures has led to a gradual increase in serious invasive diseases caused by meningococcus, especially sepsis and meningitis,” said Francisco Jiménez, director of the Balmis Vaccine Institute.

Meningococcal disease, caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, can cause septic symptoms (generalized infection) and severe meningitis. “Despite early diagnosis and adequate treatment, the mortality rate of this disease reaches 10%, and up to 25% of survivors may suffer irreversible consequences,” Jimenez recalled.

To prevent meningococcal meningitis, there are effective vaccines against meningococcal group B, the most common, and against groups A, C, W and Y, which are less common but also have significant mortality. “These vaccines are included in the calendars of children and adolescents of different ages, depending on each autonomous community,” Jimenez emphasized. In conclusion, he emphasized that “combined vaccines are being developed containing the five most common groups of meningococci that can prevent this disease in one puncture.”