The Meningitis Research Foundation 2021 13th International Conference began today (1st November) and will run until Wednesday 3rd November. Aligned to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis, the programme covers a range of topics, from global meningitis aftercare to the lessons we can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delegates from around the world are this week attending the Meningitis Research Conference, which is being held online for the first time. World-leading experts have come together to discuss the latest advances and today's challenges for meningitis and septicaemia, including burden and impact of diseases, the development of new vaccines and global impact of existing programmes and campaigns, the development of new diagnostic tests, advances and controversies in treatment, scientific advances to enable future action against these infections, aftercare and advocacy.
Vinny Smith, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) began proceedings with a welcome message referencing the grit and determination of people impacted by meningitis.
He said: “This meeting intends to embody that spirit – that progress is possible despite the odds.”