Changing dynamics of invasive meningococcal disease in the UK following the introduction of the novel 4CMenB vaccine

Parikh, Sydel R. (2020) Changing dynamics of invasive meningococcal disease in the UK following the introduction of the novel 4CMenB vaccine. Doctoral thesis (PhD by Published Works), Manchester Metropolitan University.

Preview

Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (18MB) | Preview

Abstract

The epidemiology of infectious diseases must consider a number of aspects of the disease along with its control and prevention, as these will ultimately alter disease incidence, trends and distribution within a population. For many infectious diseases, the greatest medical tool available to combat them is vaccination. Historically, the UK has successfully controlled invasive meningococcal disease through vaccination. As a result, the majority of disease seen in today’s epidemiological landscape is caused by a previously non-preventable form. Monitoring the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease relies on strong surveillance systems which in turn, allow for the evaluation of vaccination programmes. An understanding of the relationship between a vaccination programme and its effect on the epidemiology of the targeted disease is vital for assessing the success of a programme and gives insight into how these programmes may be improved. This thesis presents eight studies, presented in three sections, that used epidemiological data to demonstrate the success of the national infant MenB vaccination programme in England. The studies presented have provided baseline estimates of the burden of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) and the predicted strain coverage of the 4CMenB vaccine against circulating strains in England prior to the vaccine’s national introduction in September 2015. These studies also provided the first ever estimates of 4CMenB’s vaccine effectiveness at a reduced vaccination schedule, to that used for licensure, along with the impact on MenB disease in the group with the highest incidence of disease, children under the age of five, who were targeted with the vaccine. Further, these studies looked at the epidemiology and trends of disease in vulnerable populations in England, highlighting the markedly increased risk in a young person on long term complement inhibitor therapy and raising awareness of the increased risk in cases who initially present with a less common presentation and its implications for the public health and clinical management of these cases. Finally, these studies explored cases of IMD in pregnant women in England over a four-year period and showed that while disease during pregnancy can be severe, there was an unusual 1 finding of a significantly decreased risk of IMD in pregnant women compared to nonpregnant women of a similar age. The combined findings of these studies show the success of the first nationally funded 4CMenB immunisation programme and its subsequent effects on the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease in England.