For several months in France, invasive meningococcal infections (IIM) have been increasing sharply. These infections cause the death of one in ten people and cause serious after-effects in one in five survivors: amputation, deafness, cognitive disorders or anxiety. The majority of cases occur in healthy individuals with no identified risk factors. In certain subjects, critical condition and death can occur within 24 hours following the appearance of the first symptoms, which are very often trivial, making them difficult to link to a meningococcal infection and therefore delaying treatment.
In a press release dated November 14, 2023, the National Reference Center for Meningococci (Institut Pasteur) specifies that it has recorded 421 cases between January and September 2023, an increase of 36% compared to 2019, even though the winter peak is not had not yet taken place. The new cases reported are mainly linked to serogroups W and Y, against which there is no vaccination recommendation in the general population. Furthermore, the share of cases linked to serogroup B continues to be significant, with a vaccination recommendation limited to infants.
However, vaccination against certain serogroups (C and B) has demonstrated its effectiveness with the reduction in the incidence and number of meningococcal meningitis in the age groups concerned by a recommendation in all European countries having expanded their vaccination program. vaccination in the face of changes in their epidemiology (Belgium, Spain, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, as well as the United Kingdom and Switzerland).
After a referral on April 25, 2023 to the Directorate General of Health in view of the evolution of epidemiology, the High Authority for Health announced that it was assessing the current need to update the vaccination recommendations against invasive meningococcal infections in serogroups A, C, W, Y and B for publication in March 2024.
Faced with the urgency to act, we, actors of civil society in health, are mobilizing within “MéninGO!”, a coalition which brings together health actors committed to the fight against invasive meningococcal infections, a priority public health. “MeninGO!” brings together survivors, patient family associations, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, physiotherapists, researchers, parliamentarians, home health providers and health companies.
We know the government’s commitment to strengthening the prevention policy in France. In line with the WHO roadmap which aims to defeat meningitis on a global scale by 2030, we expect from public authorities a response commensurate with the risks posed by meningitis at all ages of life. invasive meningococcal infections.
This increase in cases could further increase in the months to come during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with large gatherings being conducive to contamination in general and the spread of invasive meningococcal infections in particular.
Each case is one case too many! Faced with these issues, we, members of MéninGO!, are asking for your kindness to meet in order to discuss actions that will strengthen awareness of vaccination prevention in the face of this public health emergency.
Thanking you for your interest in our letter, we ask you to accept, Mr. President, the assurance of our highest consideration.
*List of signatories:
French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics (Afpa); Professor Romain Basmaci, pediatrician at Louis-Mourier hospital (Colombes, AP-HP); Claire Berniermasseuse-physiotherapist and coordinator of the Val de Suippe territorial professional health community; Sophie Boulardmother of a child suffering from invasive meningococcal infection; Professor Robert Cohenpresident of the National Pediatric Council and the Pediatric Infectious Pathology Group; Meningitis Research Foundation & the Confederation of Meningitis Organizations ; Jessica Desbenoitvictim of an invasive meningococcal infection; Flavio Da Pozzovictim of meningococcal infection, president of the Thought by Flavio Da Pozzo association and Paralympic athlete; Professor Joël Gaudelusformer head of the pediatric hospital department at the Jean-Verdier hospital (Bondy, AP-HP); Dr. Hervé Haashead of the pediatrics – neonatology department at CH Princesse-Grace-de-Monaco; Annie Hamelsecretary of the Petit Ange-Ensemble association against meningitis; Dr Isabelle Haupediatrician at CHI Créteil; Alicia Hirlayvictim of an invasive meningococcal infection; Professor Odile Launayhead of the infectious and tropical diseases department at Cochin hospital (AP-HP); Annick Lavalou-Cuer, mother of a daughter with invasive meningococcal infection; Professor Paul Loubethead of the infectious diseases department at Nîmes University Hospital; Olivier Mariottepresident of nile; Patricia Merhant-Sorelpresident of the Petit Ange association – Together against meningitis; Elena MoyaEuropean coordinator of the Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (COMO); Eric SalatPatient Expert – Patient Advocacy Consultant, Health Democracy project manager – University of Patients – UMPC – Sorbonne University; Professor Muhamed-Kheir Tahadirector of the National Reference Center for Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae at the Pasteur Institute; Jimmy Voisinepresident of the Méningites France association – Association Audrey; Professor Catherine Weil-Olivierhonorary professor of pediatrics, former head of hospital department at Louis-Mourier hospital (AP-HP); Dr Andreas Wernerpresident of the French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics.
Current partners: Sanofi, pharmaceutical company; Vaccination et Lien Social, think tank aiming to provide information on the benefits of vaccination.