U.S. cases of meningococcal disease have increased sharply since 2021, CDC data shows, and physicians are worried a more steep jump in these infections is imminent, NBC News reported Jan. 11.
On Jan. 5, HHS officials said the CDC will no longer recommend universal pediatric vaccination against several infectious diseases, including hepatitis A and B, influenza, and meningococcal disease, which often presents as meningitis and bloodstream infections.
Dozens of public health organizations have rebuked the CDC’s decision, saying the federal health agency’s upheaval of childhood vaccine recommendations will cast more uncertainty and distrust of vaccines.
Alongside rising antimicrobial resistance, the new vaccination recommendations could exacerbate the rise in meningococcal disease cases.
“U.S. cases of meningococcal disease have increased sharply since 2021 and now exceed pre-pandemic levels,” according to the CDC. “In 2024, 503 confirmed and probable cases were reported based on preliminary data. This is the largest number of U.S. meningococcal disease cases reported since 2013.”
The CDC now recommends meningococcal disease vaccines per “individual assessment based on risk or shared decision-making between families and clinicians.”
Physicians and infectious disease experts told NBC News the limited guidance could create barriers for parents and thus prompt more infections. Hospital capacity and resources would be further strained as a result.
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