VACCINATION STRATEGIES FOR MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE IN EMERGENCY CARE.

INTRODUCTION

Meningococcal disease remains one of the most feared infections in emergency and pediatric care due to its fulminant course, high case fatality rate, and potential for rapid public health spread. Caused by Neisseria meningitidis, the disease primarily manifests as meningitis, meningococcemia, or a combined form, and can progress from mild symptoms to death within hours. In emergency settings, early diagnosis, rapid treatment, and urgent public health interventions—including vaccination—are critical.

Vaccination is the most effective strategy for preventing meningococcal infections. Traditionally implemented in routine immunization programs, catch-up campaigns, and outbreak control, meningococcal vaccination in emergency care settings is gaining increasing relevance. Emergency departments (EDs) often serve as points of first contact for high-risk patients, travelers, exposed contacts, and individuals in outbreak zones. This makes ED-based vaccination an important but underutilized public health tool.

This article provides a comprehensive, in-depth review of meningococcal vaccination strategies relevant to emergency care, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, current vaccines, post-exposure protocols, outbreak management, and future directions.