Invasive meningococcal disease - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2024

France, Germany and Spain accounted for 58% of all confirmed IMD cases in 2024. The notification rate of IMD rose from 0.4 in 2023 to 0.5 cases per 100 000 population in 2024, which is the highest for the last five years. Age-specific notification rates were highest in infants under one year, followed by 1–4-year-olds and 15–24-year-olds.

Serogroup B remains the major cause of IMD. It accounted for 56% of cases with known serogroup and was the dominant serogroup in all age groups under 65 years. Serogroup Y was the second most reported overall (21% of cases with known serogroup) and the most reported in those aged 65 years and above. Serogroup W was the third most reported overall (15% of cases with known serogroup).

It is essential to continue strengthening surveillance of IMD and regularly evaluating the impact of immunisation programmes to support decision-makers in implementing or adapting vaccination strategies to protect people across their entire lifespan.