They found the vaccine substantially reduced carriage of the W and Y meningococcal groups, and sustained low levels of the C group. In 2015, responding to rising rates of meningitis cases driven by the W and Y strains from 2009 onwards, the UK replaced a vaccine targeting only the C group (introduced in 1999) with quadrivalent MenACWY vaccines. To leverage herd immunity effects, the vaccination programme enrolled teenagers aged 14 to 19, where transmission of the meningococcal bacteria is known to be highest. The findings align with data from UK has showing that the incidence of MenW disease has fallen in all age groups since the teenage MenACWY vaccine campaign; not just in teenagers themselves. ‘We’re delighted to see that this important study has demonstrated such positive results for not just young people’s health but across the wider community too.
