Relation between the immunization rate by the meningococcal C-conjugate vaccine (MncC) and the Covid-19 pandemic in the population aged up to 1 year.

Abstract

The meninges are membranous structures that surround the central nervous system (CNS), which are divided into very elastic and vascularized layers, and which house a repertoire of immune cells, providing mechanical and immunological protection, in addition to regulating intracranial pressure (ICP). Meningitis is defined as an inflammatory reaction of the meninges and spinal cord, with viruses, bacteria and fungi as the main etiologies. The most serious cases are caused by bacterial infections, which, in some situations, can be prevented through vaccination. Notifications of infections caused by vaccine-preventable meningitis decreased significantly in the period from 2014 to 2019, in general in the world, due to the introduction of vaccines in countries that did not provide them for their respective populations and the increase in vaccination. in countries that have already done so. On the other hand, in the period from 2012 to 2016, Brazil showed a reduction in the vaccination coverage of Meningococcus C in children younger than 1 year and 1 year of age. In the pre-Covid-19 period suffered variations, being possible to describe them both at regional and national level as a reduction in coverage in the year 2017 to 2018 and an increase from 2018 to 2019. However, it should be noted that, since Covid-19 (2020 and, there has been a considerable decrease in the number of vaccinations against meningitis, a pattern that is repeated in all regions of the country.