Abstract
The use of vaccines in the prevention of meningococcal disease has demonstrated their success in improving public health globally. Group C conjugate vaccines have significantly reduced the burden of disease in countries with widespread usage. Promising results are available on the candidate group A conjugate vaccine for Africa, which could potentially control the epidemics observed in the meningitis belt at a cost that is affordable. For group B, promising candidate antigens have been identified and are currently in Phase II clinical trials. The prospect of a vaccine against group B is now realistic, with potential licensure submission within the foreseeable future.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
RB and PB have received assistance to attend scientific meetings and have been occasional members of expert panels for Baxter Bioscience; GSK; Novartis; Sanofi Pasteur and Wyeth.
The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.