Headlines - Update on Invasive Meningococcal Infections (IMI)

Data from 2013. In 2013, 585 IIM cases were reported, including 571 in metropolitan France (MF) and 14 in the overseas departments. The IIM notification rate in MF was 0.90 per 100,000 inhabitants, with the highest rate observed in Finistère (3.09 per 100,000—all serotypes combined). The estimated incidence rate, after adjustment for underreporting, was 0.99 per 100,000 inhabitants in MF; a rate comparable to that of 2012.

The reporting rates by age group in 2013 show three peaks for: infants under 1 year of age (10.3 per 100,000 with 82 cases), people aged 90 and older (8.9 per 100,000 with 13 cases), and adolescents aged 17–19 (3.0 per 100,000 with 71 cases).

In 2013, 8 clusters of cases (the occurrence of 2 or more cases within a short period of time among people who had close contact or belonged to the same community) were reported (5 clusters of IIM B and 3 of IIM C).

As in previous years, case fatality was higher in the presence (19%) than in the absence (6%) of purpura fulminans (p< 10⁻³). Case fatality was highest among those aged 60 and older and ranged from 7% to 14% [IMV B (23 deaths) and IMV Y (8 deaths)].

Bexsero® vaccine. In 2014, the vaccination schedule included new recommendations, particularly for IIM B. The Bexsero® vaccine received European marketing authorization on January 14, 2013, for vaccination starting at 2 months of age. The High Council for Public Health does not currently recommend the use of this vaccine as part of a generalized strategy for the prevention of IIM B in France among infants, children, adolescents, and adults. However, vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk of contracting IIM and for targeted populations in specific situations, under precise circumstances detailed in the advisory opinion: http://www.hcsp.fr/ explore.cgi/avisrapportsdomaine?clefr=386.

New reporting form.

It stems from the decree published in the Official Journal on October 2, 2014 (http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jopdf/common/jo_pdf.jsp?numJO=0&dateJO;=20141002&numTexte;=27&pageDebut;=15997&pageFin;=15997) and can be downloaded from the InVS website.

Vaccination coverage against IIM C. In France, analysis of reimbursement data shows that the proportion of people vaccinated since January 2010 is gradually increasing.