A surge in W and Y strains of meningococcal has led to the introduction of a new vaccination program
A surge in two serotypes of meningococcal in Australia has led to the introduction of a new vaccination program, says Professor Robert Booy, chair of the Immunisation Coalition.
Meningococcal disease is caused by half a dozen serogroups, which are described by the sugar which coats the meningococcus.
“We had a C serogroup surge in the early 2000s and we introduced a highly effective vaccine for that,” says Professor Booy.
While meningococcal C is now very rare, there has been an increase of serotypes W and Y across Australia since 2013.
Professor Booy says babies, teenagers, and older adults are most at risk of contracting the W and Y serotypes of the disease.
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