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Review
. 2023 Dec 31;19(1):2193120.
doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2193120. Epub 2023 Apr 13.

Meningococcal disease within the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Salah Al Awaidy  1 , Onur Ozudogru  2 , Selim Badur  3
Affiliations
Review

Meningococcal disease within the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Salah Al Awaidy et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. .

Abstract

This review reports on the recent epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries (focusing from 2012 onwards), the existing immunization strategies and the potential for IMD resurgence. MenACWY vaccination is now established in infant or adolescent immunization programs in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. At present, GCC Countries do not include MenB immunization. National health surveillance reports indicate a total of 156 IMD cases reported across the GCC Countries between 2012 and 2021; between 30% and 80% of cases were reported in individuals aged ≥15 years. Lack of serogroup data hinders the assessment of vaccine impact and decision-making on additional vaccine introductions (e.g. MenB immunization). Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage and the increasing number of large-scale commercial and social events held in the GCC Countries pose a potential risk for future IMD outbreaks. Immunization policies for such events could be strengthened.

Keywords: Epidemiology; GCC Countries; Hajj; immunization; mass gatherings; meningococcal disease; outbreaks.

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Conflict of interest statement

Onur Ozudogru and Selim Badur are employed by GSK. Salah Al Awaidy is an employee of the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Health. All authors declare no other financial and non-financial relationships and activities.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
GCC Countries and population demographics. Population estimates are for 2019 based on data presented in regional, national and global reports. GCC, Gulf Cooperation Council.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
IMD case numbers in GCC Countries (2012–2021). Data as reported in national health surveillance reports and related publications.,,.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Age-distribution of IMD in GCC Countries (2012–2021). Data as reported in national health surveillance reports and related publications.,,.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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