title: Impact of meningococcal C conjugate vaccination campaign in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
abstract: The incidence of reported meningococcal disease in Italy is among the lowest in Europe. The trend of the disease was increasing up to 2005 and then declined after the gradual introduction of a universal Men C vaccination program in 17/21 Italian regions. Since 2006, in Emilia-Romagna region vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C was actively offered free of charge in a single dose to the age groups 12-15 months and 14-15 years, in addition to people with defined epidemiological risk. Our aim was to measure the impact of vaccination on the incidence of meningococcal disease caused by different serogroups among the population of Emilia Romagna Region, Northern Italy (approximately 4.5 million inhabitants) subdivided by age. Using surveillance data, we computed the incidence rates of Neisseria meninigitidis related invasive disease per 100.000 inhabitants for the years 2000 to 2012. In addition, the percentage change in incidence and the mortality rates were calculated. Results indicate a 70.1% decrease in the incidence of meningococcus C-related invasive disease after the introduction of MenC universal vaccination. No case of serogroup C related infection was observed since 2006 in children aged 1-4 years. These findings suggest that the single-dose vaccination strategy against serogroup C N.meningitidis targeted to the age groups 12-15 months and 14-15 years was effective in the Emilia-Romagna population. However, the occurrence of two cases of meningiditis in a 5-month child and in a 9-years child suggests caution and careful consideration in surveillance for the next years.
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Authority; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pascucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Gregori
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Authority; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rucci
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Authority; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Alba Carola
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Finarelli
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Authority; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moschella
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Authority; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Bianca Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Borrini
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Microbiology; S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavrini
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Microbiology; S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liguori
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Microbiology; S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital; Bologna, Italy; Unit of Clinical Microbiology; Greater Romagna Laboratory; Pievesestina, Cesena, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sambri
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonanni
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Fantini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D038542:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; C410218:serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine
keywords: meningococcal disease; serogroups; surveillance; vaccination campaign; vaccination coverage; vaccination strategies