2.5  Meningococcal vaccines

Finally, we refer to the meningococcal vaccines which are in common use in some countries. Although not yet routinely available in the EPI in Ethiopia, these vaccines are used to control outbreaks of meningitis caused by the Neisseria meningitides bacteria, which occur in at least six different types. Types A, B, C, Y, W135 and X cause most cases of meningococcal meningitis. Quadrivalent vaccines (containing the antigens of four of these types) are available in the USA, and a vaccine specifically designed for Africa is being used in the countries with the highest burden of meningococcal meningitis.