Epidemiology of Infant Meningococcal Disease in the United States, 2006-2012

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The incidence of meningococcal disease is currently at historic lows in the United States; however, incidence remains highest among infants aged Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcal vaccines in infants and children in the United States, Neisseria meningitidis remains an important cause of bacterial meningitis in young children. METHODS: Data were collected from active, population- and laboratory-based surveillance for N meningitidis conducted through Active Bacterial Core surveillance during 2006 through 2012. Expanded data collection forms were completed for infant cases identified in the surveillance area during 2006 through 2010. RESULTS: An estimated 113 cases of culture-confirmed meningococcal disease occurred annually among infants aged CONCLUSIONS: The burden of meningococcal disease remains highest in young infants and serogroup B predominates. Vaccines that provide long-term protection early in life have the potential to reduce the burden of meningococcal disease, especially if they provide protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease.