Targeted vaccination of teenagers following continued rapid endemic expansion of a single meningococcal group W clone (sequence type 11 clonal complex), United Kingdom 2015

H Campbell; V Saliba; R Borrow; M Ramsay; S N Ladhani

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES2015.20.28.21188

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Targeted vaccination of teenagers following continued rapid endemic expansion of a single meningococcal group W clone (sequence type 11 clonal complex), United Kingdom 2015
H Campbell¹ , V Saliba¹ , R Borrow² , M Ramsay¹ , S N Ladhani¹
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Affiliations: ¹ Public Health England, Immunisation Department, London, United Kingdom ² Public Health England, Meningococcal Reference Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom

Correspondence:
H Campbell
helen.campbell phe.gov.uk
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Citation style for this article: Campbell H, Saliba V, Borrow R, Ramsay M, Ladhani S N. Targeted vaccination of teenagers following continued rapid endemic expansion of a single meningococcal group W clone (sequence type 11 clonal complex), United Kingdom 2015. Euro Surveill. 2015;20(28):pii=21188. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES2015.20.28.21188 Received: 04 Jul 2015

Abstract

Since the epidemiological year 2009/10, the United Kingdom has experienced a year-on-year increase in meningococcal group W (MenW) disease due to rapid expansion of a single endemic hyper-virulent strain belonging to sequence type 11 clonal complex (cc). This strain was identified among cases diagnosed across all regions and was not linked to travel abroad. Consequently, an adolescent MenACWY conjugate vaccination programme for 13-18 year-olds will be introduced in August 2015, with priority given to 17-18 year-olds (school leavers).