What is the article about?

This is a policy brief advocating for meningococcal vaccination among tertiary students in South Africa. It highlights the heightened risk of meningococcal disease among first-year university students due to behavioural and environmental factors and proposes policy options – particularly meningococcal disease awareness campaigns and targeted vaccination programmes – to prevent disease, death, and disability in this group.

Why is this issue important?

Meningococcal disease is a rare but devastating illness that can cause rapid death or severe long-term complications in otherwise healthy young adults. South African tertiary students are particularly vulnerable due to high carriage rates and close-contact living conditions. Despite this risk, meningococcal vaccination is not part of the national immunisation schedule and remains inaccessible to most students. Addressing this issue is vital to protect young adults and meet South Africa’s commitment to the global “Defeating Meningitis by 2030” roadmap.

What drew your interest in this area of study?

I have been tracking meningococcal disease in South Africa for many years through the GERMS-SA surveillance programme at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and have recognised the devastation each episode brings to families and communities. Although widely used in many countries, access to meningococcal vaccination is extremely limited in South Africa, therefore, advocating for meningococcal vaccination among a select high-risk group, such as tertiary students, may protect them from this devastating illness and improve vaccine accessibility for all.

What was your role in the research?

My coauthors and I worked together to develop this policy brief, advocating for the meningococcal vaccine for tertiary students. We have presented the policy brief to relevant stakeholders from the Department of Health, Department of Higher Education and Training, University administrators, and various pharmaceutical companies, and are willing to continue the conversation with other interested parties. The authors hope to see meningococcal vaccines become more accessible and affordable to all those at high risk of meningococcal disease.

Why should people read this article?

The article raises awareness about meningococcal disease, an often-overlooked public health threat, affecting young people, and explores evidence-based, cost-effective solutions. It is relevant to policymakers, university administrators, healthcare professionals, and students, offering practical recommendations to reduce meningococcal disease through meningococcal vaccination and education campaigns.

What impact do you hope the article will have on public-health policy and healthcare access?

The authors hope to influence public health policy by prompting collaboration between the Department of Health and the Department of Higher Education and Training to promote and introduce meningococcal vaccination policies for first-year university students, particularly those in residences. They aim to make the vaccine more accessible and affordable and to establish national awareness campaigns. Ultimately, the goal is to protect students, reduce preventable deaths and disabilities, and strengthen South Africa’s meningitis prevention strategy.

Dr Susan Meiring is a Medical Officer in the Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.

For a more in-depth look into this captivating policy brief, download the full article below.