A panel discussion at the scientific conference on prevention of invasive meningococcal diseases in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

HCM City — Health experts have shared clinical perspectives and discussed prevention measures for invasive meningococcal disease at a recent scientific conference in HCM City.

The event was jointly organised by the Centre for Healthcare Professional Training under the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in HCM City and Pfizer Vietnam.

The symposium aimed to provide health care professionals with the latest clinical updates and strengthen their capacity to prevent invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a severe infection that can lead to death within 24 hours if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

According to health experts, IMD is an acute infectious illness transmitted through the respiratory route and caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, a pathogen found exclusively in humans. The disease can trigger life-threatening sepsis and severe brain damage. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate can exceed 50 per cent.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, one in six people who contract meningococcal meningitis will die, while one in five survivors will live with severe lifelong complications.

Statistics from the health ministry show that in the first 14 weeks of 2026, Việt Nam recorded 24 cases of meningococcal disease, including four fatalities. Children under the age of 15 account for 46 per cent of total cases. Notably, infections have surged by nearly 50 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.

Invasive meningococcal disease can affect individuals of all ages but is most prevalent among infants under one year old, adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 23, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.

In Việt Nam, the highest caseloads are recorded among children under five and adolescents. Within the under-five group, infants under one year old represent the highest number of cases.

Notably, 81 per cent of cases in infants under one year old occur within the first six months of life. The risk of infection is also higher for those living in crowded environments such as schools and military barracks or individuals travelling to high-incidence areas.

Experts emphasised that given the disease’s high severity, rapid fatality rate and risk of permanent complications, proactive early prevention is essential.

“According to the meningococcal prevention guidelines from the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine, proactive and early vaccination is essential," said Dr Nguyễn An Nghĩa, deputy head of the Infectious Diseases and Neurology Department at Children’s Hospital 1.

"High-risk groups that should be prioritised include children, especially infants under one year old, adolescents, the elderly, individuals with underlying health conditions and those living or working in crowded environments such as schools, nursing homes and military barracks.”

Associate Professor Cao Hữu Nghĩa, head of the Biomedical Science Department at the Pasteur Institute in HCM City, stated: “The epidemiology of meningococcal disease is not static; it evolves across time, regions, age groups and circulating serogroups. This highlights that meningococcal disease must be viewed as a dynamic epidemiological issue; therefore, broad coverage is the key to better protection.”

According to the WHO, the roadmap to defeating meningitis by 2030 aims to reduce cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50 per cent and fatalities by 70 per cent.

The roadmap also emphasises reducing disability and improving the quality of life for those affected by the disease. These objectives underscore the vital role of scientific updates, epidemiological surveillance and continuous professional exchange in supporting healthcare systems to address the burden of infectious diseases. — VNS