What is Invasive Meningococcal Disease?

WHAT IS INVASIVE MENINGOCOCCAL
DISEASE (IMD)?

A serious and potentially fatal bacterial infection

IMD is a serious bacterial infection caused by the N. meningitidis bacteria, which can lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal diseases including:

meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), and
sepsis (blood poisoning)

Symptoms include:
- Sudden fever
- Drowsiness
- Irritability or agitation
- Intense headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Light sensitivity
Consequences include:
- Death
- Coma
- Long-term health problems
  (in up to 1 in 3 survivors)
  - Hearing loss
  - Neurologic disabilities
  - Digit or limb amputations

Quick Facts

IMD can be fatal within 24 hours
of first symptoms. Even when the disease is treated, 5% to 10% of patients die, typically within 24-48 hours after symptoms start.

10% to 20% of survivors of meningococcal meningitis can suffer from long-term consequences, such as brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities.

Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best defense
against IMD infections

Who is at risk?

Adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years are one of the age groups most at risk of contracting IMD in Canada (20% of cases in Canada vs. 3% for individuals aged 10–14 years old).

IMD has historically occurred in:

Schools
Colleges
Camps
Other places where there are large groups of teens and young adults

Meningococcal meningitis is
vaccine-preventable, but…

…routine childhood vaccination programs only cover IMD vaccinations for 4 of the 5 common serogroups:

They do not include vaccination for serogroup B

It is up to you to ask your healthcare professional about TRUMENBA

Understanding the different serogroup coverage of meningococcal vaccines

MOST COMMON SEROGROUPS ASSOCIATED WITH IMD

There are 5 serogroups of the N. meningitidis bacteria most commonly associated with
IMD: A, C, W₁₃₅, Y and B.

Serogroup B is the most common cause of IMD in Canadian adolescents and young adults aged 10 to 24 years old (2012–2019)

Not part of the routine
Immunization program

TRUMENBA Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB)

55% of all reported IMD cases (among identified serogroups) in Canada between 2012 and 2019.

Part of the routine Immunization program

Meningococcal Conjugate C vaccine (MenC)

6% of all reported IMD cases (among identified serogroups) in Canada between 2012 and 2019.

Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine (MenACWY)
(in most provinces)

30% of all reported IMD cases (among identified serogroups) in Canada in 2011.

Learn about MenB