CoMO year in review: 2025

As we look back on 2025, the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) stands at a proud moment, reflecting on a year marked by growth and creative advocacy. The journey toward a world free from meningitis by 2030 is a global mission, powered by the passion and resilience of our members and advocates across continents. This year’s story is a testament to what can be achieved when a global network unites behind a common vision. 

Growing stronger: welcoming 36 new members

Growth has been a defining theme for CoMO this year: we’ve welcomed 36 new members from diverse backgrounds and regions, each with their own passion to defeat meningitis.

CoMO has grown in other ways, not just numbers. We have also launched a new website, enhanced member benefits and created more physical and professional materials for members, which have all contributed to a sense of growth and progress.

Even with new members joining, our member survey statistics reflected rising member satisfaction as members recognise the value of being part of a dynamic and supportive network. As CoMO grows, so does our ability to drive change and make a lasting impact.

Meningitis conferences in 2025

June marked a historic milestone for CoMO, as we hosted our first-ever conference in Africa. Over three days, 44 attendees from around the world gathered to share knowledge, create new connections and work on innovative projects. The atmosphere and agenda encouraged collaboration as participants engaged in social media training, workshops on national meningitis plans and sessions focused on hearing members’ meningitis stories and advocacy successes. The conference inspired members to return to their communities with renewed purpose and practical tools to drive change.

The CoMO conference wasn’t the only conference our members took part in this year: in November, Meningitis Research Foundation ran the world’s biggest conference dedicated to meningitis, while giving discounted entry to health care professional CoMO members. It was wonderful to see CoMO members attend and be integral to the conference agenda. Member and researcher Dr. Estefania Sienra Iracheta said: “Getting to know what’s happening around the world is really useful for learning more about meningitis”. 

Advocacy highlights: navigating a changing global landscape

This year, advocacy efforts persisted against a backdrop of significant global shifts. The broader landscape for health has become increasingly challenging with reduced funding for global health initiatives. Economic pressures, shifting political priorities and ongoing global crises have all contributed to a tough advocacy environment.

Despite these challenges, advocates around the world have continued to push for change as we move towards our shared goal of defeating meningitis by 2030. Significant progress has been made this year in the global fight against this devastating disease. These include the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first ever guidelines on meningitis diagnosis, treatment and care, which offer clinical recommendations on tackling meningitis. We’ve also seen the publications of regional frameworks for defeating meningitis in the WHO’s South East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions.

As always, CoMO has played a pivotal role in global advocacy, contributing to WHO technical guidelines, raising awareness through Gavi’s VaccinesWork, representing affected communities at WHO’s Tenth Technical Taskforce to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, and urging governments to develop national meningitis action plans. By actively fostering collaboration and supporting members around the world, CoMO continues to drive progress toward a world free from meningitis, proving that even in times of uncertainty, collective action, collaboration and a unified voice can bring us closer to defeating meningitis.

Member highlights

Across the world, our network is powered by passionate members who drive change in their regions. Here’s a snapshot of four of our members.

Americas – Dr. Enrique Chacon-Cruz

Based in Texas, Dr. Enrique Chacon-Cruz is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases specialist with over 30 years of experience spanning Mexico, the United States and Italy. His mission is to actively engage in the exchange of scientific and public health perspectives on bacterial meningitis, addressing both regional and global challenges. Dr. Chacon-Cruz has a large impact on global advocacy and runs a highly subscribed monthly newsletter, giving healthcare professionals the latest meningitis and vaccine updates.

Africa – Meningitis Research Group of the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS)

CSRS, whose Meningitis Research Group is led by Dr. Kanny Diallo, is at the forefront of molecular epidemiology and vaccine policy in West Africa. Their MEVacP project, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, focuses on developing effective, affordable diagnostic tools and improving meningitis awareness among global populations. Along with their research work, CSRS works on local advocacy and sharing the impact meningitis has on people. They recently shared a video testimonial (in French) of Ms. Boua Emmanuella Laurencia, who bravely told her daughter Kett’s meningitis story and the lasting impact it has had on their family.

Europe – Meningokockfonden

Founded and led by Christine Bennborn in Stockholm, Sweden, Meningokockfonden was born from personal tragedy: Christine lost her son Mathias to meningococcal sepsis and meningitis just before his 18th birthday. The organisation’s mission is to fill the information gap in Sweden about this devastating disease, raise awareness of risk groups and promote the availability of vaccines. As part of their World Meningitis Day campaign, Christine shared the heartbreaking story of how Mathias lost his life to meningitis.

Asia Pacific – Brain Child Trust

Based in Bengaluru, India, Brain Child Trust (BCT) is led by Dr. Ravi Kumar. They focus on raising awareness, empowering families and supporting children in managing health conditions. BCT was a recipient of this year’s World Meningitis Day Advocacy Fund and did an impressive amount of work spreading meningitis awareness. Their project was a three-month campaign in Karnataka, India, focused on improving early recognition and response to childhood meningitis. Their bilingual digital, radio and in-person campaign reached families, teachers and frontline workers across urban and rural communities.

World Meningitis Day: creative campaigns across the globe

World Meningitis Day has always been a highlight in the CoMO calendar, and this year’s campaign truly showed the impact of collective action. Across the globe, members responded with extraordinary creativity, transforming cityscapes and communities into vibrant beacons of awareness and hope.

Meningitis survivor and CoMO member Carlos Mesa (Costa Rica), with the help of other volunteers, illuminated the National Children’s Hospital, as well as the Fuente de la Hispanidad, an important monument in the capital city, San José. He also engaged the Ministry of Health and Costa Rican Social Security Fund, who went on to share information from the World Meningitis Day toolkit on social media.

The Meningitis Association of South Africa, with the help of their new ambassador and Friend of CoMO Lize McElhone, held a series of meningitis awareness events throughout October, aimed at educating the public and healthcare professionals. This included an informative session with hospital staff in Cape Town, focusing on prevention and early detection.

The American Society for Meningitis Prevention (USA) “drove out” meningitis with the creation and distribution of 140+ bumper stickers across 34 US states. They also created Anthems for Action, a resilience playlist of songs curated by advocates who’ve faced meningitis through survival, loss or love.

The visibility of CoMO members in Gavi’s World Meningitis Day stories reflects the increasing reach and influence of our advocacy. Through sharing Meningitis in Your Words stories, Gavi helped shine a light on the devastating impact meningitis has on people’s lives.

It is amazing to see the increased reach and input from everyone worldwide. Each campaign, toolkit and partnership moves us closer to a future where families and communities are free from the threat of meningitis.

Year two of the World Meningitis Day Advocacy Fund

Advocacy lies at the heart of CoMO’s mission, and the second year of funded projects has brought new energy and impact to this vital work. The fund supported a new cohort of recipients, with six more case studies set to be shared soon. These initiatives represent real lasting change in communities. 

The launch of new member projects, funded by the World Meningitis Day Advocacy Fund, in India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey and Uganda, underscored the global reach and impact of CoMO’s work. Roadmap for Women and Youth Development’s “Kick Out Meningitis” project in Yobe State, Nigeria, used football tournaments and house-to-house outreach to raise awareness about meningitis symptoms, prevention and early treatment. The campaign reached thousands of community members with lifesaving messages, combining sport and storytelling to build vaccine confidence and promote timely care-seeking.  

The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination launched DefeatMeningitisPH, a national coalition to reduce meningitis deaths by advocating for policy change, raising public awareness and sharing survivor stories. Their project included the formal establishment of a national meningitis coalition, extensive media and mass communication reach, a defined 12-month action framework aligned with WHO and more. 

Thank you

As we look back on a year of challenges and triumphs, one thing is clear: we have made steps towards a world free from meningitis. To all members and advocates, thank you for your unwavering commitment and passion. Together, we will defeat meningitis.