Rates of Neisseria meningitidis increasing in young adults.
The burden of meningococcal disease has remained unchanged in the United States for the past 4 decades. The currently available meningococcal vaccine is safe and effective, however, due to immunogenic limitations inherent to polysaccharide vaccines, it has been available only for high-risk populations older than 2. Incorporation of a more immunogenic and effective conjugated vaccine into the routine immunization schedule offers an opportunity to substantially affect the incidence of meningococcal disease. The routine use of a meningococcal conjugate vaccine in the United States will save lives and prevent significant morbidity in children and young adults.
Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
Sunanda
S
Gaur
Amisha
A
Malhotra
Patricia
P
Whitley-Williams
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D008004:Licensure; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage
D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate