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February 26, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Vaccine Reduces Meningitis Toll"

Irish Times (www.ireland.com) (02/25/03) P. 3; Lally, Conor

New statistics from Ireland's National Disease Surveillance Center (NDSC) reveal a 90 percent reduction in cases of group C meningitis and septicemia following the introduction of the MenC vaccine in 2000.  Whereas in 2000 there were 11 deaths from group C meningitis, there were no group C deaths last year.  Dr. Joan O'Donnell of the NDSC called the vaccine a "remarkable success," and she noted that "we must build on this great success by maintaining and improving MenC vaccine uptake levels."  Last year, there were 14 cases of group C meningitis, which is down 90 percent from the 139 cases recorded in 2000.  The number of overall meningococcal disease cases in 2002 declined as well, falling to 243 cases throughout Ireland, compared to 515 in 2000.

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