The Pasteur Institute has warned of an unprecedented increase in meningococcal meningitis in France, following the lifting of post-Covid-19 health measures. Meningitis, potentially fatal, results from an infection of the envelopes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, often of bacterial origin, transmitted by close and prolonged contact.
The Covid-19 epidemic initially led to a drop in respiratory infections, including meningococcal meningitis. However, a recent study by the Pasteur Institute revealed an unprecedented rebound in these cases in the fall of 2022, even exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Between January and September 2023, 421 cases were recorded, an increase of 36%. Researchers attribute this increase to the decrease in general immunity due to the reduction in the circulation of strains and the drop in vaccination, down 20% during the first confinement.
Currently, only vaccination against meningococcus group C is compulsory in France, while that against meningococcus B has simply been recommended in infants since 2022. Unlike other countries, there are no general recommendations for groups Y and W, responsible for most recent meningitis.
The researchers recommend reconsidering the vaccination strategy, in particular by extending vaccination to adolescents, the main healthy carriers, with a tetravalent vaccine targeting groups A, C, Y and W. They also highlight the increased risk during the flu season and during large gatherings like the Olympic Games.
 Sophie de Duiéry
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15/11/2023 | 
