Invasive meningococcal disease - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2023

In 2023, 1 895 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), including 200 deaths, were reported in 30 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. France, Germany and Spain accounted for 57% of all confirmed IMD cases in 2023.

The notification rate of IMD rose to 0.4 cases per 100 000 population in 2023, which is the highest since 2020. Age-specific notification rates were highest in infants under one year old, followed by 1–4-year-olds and 15–24-year-olds.

Serogroup B remains the major cause of IMD. It accounted for 57% of cases with known serogroup and was the dominant serogroup in all age groups under 65 years. Its notification rate has been increasing since 2021. Serogroup Y was the second most reported overall (20% of cases with known serogroup) and the most reported in those 65 years old and above. Serogroup W was the third most reported overall (15% of cases with known serogroup).

It is essential to continue to strengthen surveillance of IMD and regularly evaluate the impact of immunisation programmes to support decision-makers in implementing or adapting vaccination strategies over the lifelong immunisation course.