Statement on Meningococcal Disease and the International Traveller

BACKGROUND:Meningococcal meningitis occurs globally and the predominant serogroups vary by geographic region. Vaccines against serogroups A, B, C, Y and W-135 are available in Canada. OBJECTIVE:To provide guidance to health care professionals for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease in international travellers from Canada. METHODS:This Statement was developed by the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) to compliment the Canadian Immunization Guide. It considers the need for protection and the potential for adverse effects of vaccination. RESULTS:Meningococcal vaccine recommendations vary by traveller characteristics and travel destination. Meningococcal meningitis occurs globally and the predominant serogroup varies by geographic region. Areas of particular risk are the "meningitis belt" in Sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and places with current epidemics or heightened disease activity. For healthy travellers see the Canadian Immunization Guide. Quadrivalent vaccine should be given to individuals at increased risk for invasive meningococcal disease due to medical conditions with booster doses every five years. Meningococcal B vaccine should be considered. CONCLUSION:Vaccination is the most effective measure for preventing invasive meningococcal disease. The Government of Canada's travel health notices identify areas of new and recent meningococcal activity and are updated regularly.