Meningococcal group C disease in Greece during 1993-2006: the impact of an unofficial single-dose vaccination scheme adopted by most paediatricians

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2007 May;13(5):550-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2007.01704.x. Epub 2007 Mar 22.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine on the epidemiology of meningococcal C disease in Greece. Data from the National Reference Laboratory for Meningococcal Disease and a questionnaire distributed to Greek paediatricians were assessed. Since the introduction of the vaccine in 2001, 72% of Greek paediatricians have administered it as one single dose to patients aged > or =12 months. This vaccination scheme has probably contributed to a dramatic decrease in the number of meningococcal C infections, which reached zero in 2004.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Infant
  • Mass Vaccination / methods
  • Meningococcal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Meningococcal Infections / immunology
  • Meningococcal Infections / prevention & control
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / classification
  • Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / immunology*

Substances

  • Meningococcal Vaccines