The program aims to provide healthcare professionals with the latest clinical updates and enhance their capacity to prevent invasive meningococcal disease, a severe respiratory infection that can lead to death within just 24 hours if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Rapid progression and 24-hour fatality risk
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an acute infectious disease transmitted through the respiratory route caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, a pathogen found exclusively in humans.
The disease can trigger life-threatening sepsis and severe brain damage. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate can exceed 50%. Among survivors, more than 10% suffer from debilitating long-term sequelae, including hearing loss, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, or disability due to limb necrosis.
Experts discuss at the conference
Even with early detection and appropriate medical intervention, 5-10% of patients succumb to the illness, often within just 24-48 hours of symptom onset. According to World Health Organization statistics, one in six people who contract meningococcal meningitis will die, while one in five survivors must live with severe, lifelong complications.
Statistics presented at the conference reveal that in the first 14 weeks of 2026, Vietnam recorded 24 cases of meningococcal disease, including 4 fatalities. Children under the age of 15 account for 46% of the total caseload. Notably, the number of infections has surged by nearly 50% compared to the same period in 2025.
Prioritizing prevention for infants, youths, and the elderly
Invasive meningococcal disease can affect individuals of all ages but is most prevalent among infants under one year old, adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 23, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
In Vietnam, the highest caseloads are recorded among children under five and adolescents. Within the under-five group, infants under one year old represent the highest number of cases. Notably, 81% of cases in infants under one year old occur within the first six months of life. The risk of infection is also higher for those living in crowded environments, such as schools and military barracks, or for individuals traveling to high-incidence areas.
Early prevention and broad coverage to reduce disease burden
Experts at the conference emphasized that given the disease's high severity, rapid fatality rate, and the risk of permanent complications, proactive early prevention against invasive meningococcal disease is essential.
Dr. Nguyen An Nghia, Deputy Head of the Infectious Diseases and Neurology Department at Children's Hospital 1
Dr. Nguyen An Nghia, Deputy Head of the Infectious Diseases and Neurology Department at Children's Hospital 1, said: "According to the meningococcal prevention guidelines from the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine, proactive and early vaccination is essential. High-risk groups that should be prioritized include children, especially infants under one year old, adolescents, the elderly, individuals with underlying health conditions, and those living or working in crowded environments such as schools, nursing homes, and military barracks."
Evolving epidemiology across regions and time
From an epidemiological perspective, meningococcal bacteria are classified into 12 serogroups. Approximately 95% of reported cases globally are caused by five primary serogroups: A, C, W, Y, and B. However, the distribution of these serogroups varies significantly across different geographical regions and over time.
In Australia, data from 2008–2018 indicates that serogroup B was dominant until 2015, while serogroup W began to rise substantially starting in 2014. By 2017, serogroups B and W accounted for a similar number of invasive cases. This data underscores the critical role of continuous epidemiological surveillance in monitoring disease trends.
Assoc. Prof. Cao Huu Nghia, MD, PhD, Head of the Biomedical Science Department at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City,
Assoc. Prof. Cao Huu Nghia, MD, PhD, Head of the Biomedical Science Department at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, stated: "The epidemiology of meningococcal disease is not static; it evolves across time, regions, age groups, and circulating serogroups. This highlights that meningococcal disease must be viewed as a dynamic epidemiological issue; therefore, broad coverage is the key to better protection."
Dr. Raffaella Iantomasi, PhD in Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology, Medical Director for Meningococcal Vaccines at Pfizer, emphasized: "Vaccination is one of medicine’s great achievements in public health, effectively preventing disease, disability, and death, and vaccines against invasive meningococcal disease are no exception. Real-world evidence from various countries has shown that the use of meningococcal vaccines, including quadrivalent conjugate vaccines (MenACWY), helps reduce disease incidence, carriage, and transmission in certain settings. Therefore, ensuring full and timely vaccination according to scientific recommendations is one of the most effective ways to protect both individuals and the community from this dangerous disease."
Dr. Raffaella Iantomasi, PhD in Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology, Medical Director for Meningococcal Vaccines at Pfizer
According to the World Health Organization, the roadmap to defeating meningitis by 2030 aims to reduce cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50% and fatalities by 70%. The roadmap also emphasizes reducing disability and improving the quality of life for those affected by the disease. These objectives underscore the vital role of scientific updates, epidemiological surveillance, and continuous professional exchange in supporting healthcare systems to address the burden of infectious diseases.
