Meningitis is a serious vaccine preventable infection holding significant health concerns, particularly for children. World Meningitis Day aims to raise awareness and drive global efforts to defeat this disease, promoting the lifesaving potential of early detection and it’s prevention through vaccination.
With over 2.5 million cases reported globally each year, meningitis represents a severe health crisis, as nearly 70% of those who succumb to this disease, are children under the age of five. Meningitis is the swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord (the meninges) and is usually caused by a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. Clinical features of patients with meningitis vary depending on the cause, disease course (acute, sub-acute or chronic), brain involvement (meningo-encephalitis) and systemic complications (e.g., sepsis). Common symptoms of meningitis are neck stiffness, fever, confusion or altered mental status, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Less frequent symptoms are seizures, coma and neurological deficits (for example hearing or vision loss, cognitive impairment, or weakness of the limbs).
India ranks amongst the top three countries with the highest number of meningitis-related deaths. Amongst the three pathogens causing Acute Bacterial Meningitis, Neisseria Meningitidis accounts for high case fatality rate of upto 15% despite treatment and up to 50% when untreated. Studies have shown an increase in the incidence of Neisseria Meningitidis causing Acute Bacterial Meningitis, in Indian children < 2 years.
Meningitis remains a serious public health threat, but the availability of vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence and severity of this devastating disease. Ensuring widespread vaccination coverage, particularly in high-risk populations, is critical in the global fight against meningitis.
“Vaccination is our most effective weapon against meningitis,” states Dr. Karthick Annamalai, Coimbatore Children’s Hospital, Coimbatore. “Children, in particular, are highly susceptible to the disease, and its effects can be long-lasting if left untreated. Vaccination is not just about avoiding the disease—it’s about ensuring the health and well-being of future generations.”
To combat this deadly disease, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends meningococcal vaccine as 2-dose schedule between 9-23 months and a single dose above 2 years who are at increased risk of this disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also launched a roadmap aimed at eliminating bacterial meningitis epidemics by 2030, endeavoring to reduce vaccine-preventable cases by 50% and deaths by 70%.
Meningitis remains a serious public health threat, but the availability of vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence and severity of this devastating disease. Currently, the government offers vaccinations for Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae; however, it does not provide a vaccination for Neisseria meningitidis.
As we observe World Meningitis Day, it is a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard the health of our children and communities. Taking proactive steps today—through education, vaccination, and awareness—can save lives tomorrow, ensuring a future free from the devastating impact of this disease.