A particularly invasive strain of meningococcus of serogroup B (hypervirulent clonal strain of phenotype/genotype B:14:P1.7,16) has been responsible since 2003 for a hyperendemic situation in Normandy, then in Picardie.
Immunisation campaigns with the MenBvac® vaccine since 2006, then with the Bexsero® vaccine since 2013, have been implemented. They have covered, to date, 14 districts of the Seine-Maritime and four districts of the Somme.
Furthermore, an increased incidence of IMI B has been reported in the French Department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques and an immunisation campaign for the 2 month to 24 year age group has been implemented in this area, starting in July 2013.
Having taken into consideration the current epidemiological situation in these three Departments and the achieved vaccination coverages, the French High Council for public health (HCSP) recommends the stoppage of immunisation campaigns with MenBvac® and Bexsero® in the target areas of the Seine-Maritime, Somme and Pyrénées-Atlantiques Departments.
The HCSP specifies the procedures to be followed for persons who have initiated an immunisation with MenBvac®, for persons who have initiated their immunisation with MenBvac® but not received their third dose in May 2014 and for persons who have initiated an immunisation with Bexsero®.
Lastly, the French High Council of public health reiterates the importance of epidemiological, serotype and genotype monitoring of IMI B in France, across all Departments.
- Recommendation
- Europe
- France
- Meningococcal disease
