A groundbreaking new report is empowering meningitis advocates to drive change by providing the first-ever global overview of vaccine availability for the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.
Meningitis Research Foundation has released The Meningitis Progress Tracker: harnessing global vaccine data to defeat meningitis to mark World Immunization Week 2025. The report equips advocates with critical insights to expand equitable, locally appropriate immunisation programs, by helping identify urgent gaps in meningitis vaccine availability and coverage.
The protection offered by vaccinations is the best form of prevention against meningitis. By drawing on global estimates from the charity’s Meningitis Progress Tracker, the only interactive dashboard that gathers global meningitis estimates in one place, the report provides advocates with evidence to accelerate efforts to defeat meningitis in their country.
The need to advocate for change
Despite being largely preventable through vaccination, meningitis deaths have decreased by only 45% between 2000 and 2021- lagging behind reductions in measles (89%) and tetanus (79%). With nearly half (43%) of all meningitis deaths occurring in children under five, increasing vaccine access could save countless lives and prevent life-long disabilities caused by the disease.
Meningitis Research Foundation hopes advocates will use the data insights drawn from the Meningitis Progress Tracker to push for policy changes that ensure life-saving vaccines reach those most at risk.
The report focuses on vaccines to protect against meningococcus, pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, and group B streptococcus – the four leading causes of bacterial meningitis which are responsible for more than half of all bacterial meningitis deaths globally. Recommendations include understanding the progress of vaccine introduction and coverage in each country and using the findings to make the case for wider availability of vaccines which can help to defeat meningitis.
Brian Davies, Head of Health Insights and Policy at Meningitis Research Foundation, said: "Bacterial meningitis is largely preventable, yet it still kills 1 in 6 people who contract it and leaves 1 in 5 with lifelong disabilities.
“Data from the Meningitis Progress Tracker shows that while many bacteria can cause meningitis, just four - meningococcus, pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, and group B streptococcus - are responsible for more than half of all bacterial meningitis deaths globally. But there are vaccines available to protect against three of these deadly bacteria.
“Maintaining high vaccine coverage is crucial to preventing serious disease. But the tracker highlights gaps that still need to be addressed. For example, while 193 out of 194 World Health Organization (WHO) member countries include the Haemophilus influenzae type b (or Hib) vaccine, in their childhood immunisation programs, global coverage remains inconsistent, with more than one in five children worldwide not receiving the recommended three doses.
“No one should die from a disease that vaccines can help prevent. The time for action is now.
“With our new report we are putting crucial data into the hands of those who can drive change – so advocates everywhere can advocate for equitable vaccine access and turn information into impact.”
Unlocking insights: the advantages of the Meningitis Progress Tracker
The Meningitis Progress Tracker: harnessing global vaccine data to defeat meningitis is the first report to be produced using data from the newly redesigned Meningitis Progress Tracker. It uses visuals to make meningitis data accessible and is a tool that can equip civil society with the insights they need to accelerate progress toward defeating meningitis worldwide.
Meningitis Research Foundation first launched the Meningitis Progress Tracker in 2019 to bring available data on meningitis into one place for the first time in support of the World Health Organization’s Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030.
The tracker has recently been redesigned based on user insight to offer enhanced visuals and greater accessibility. It also has increased functionality, including printable country factsheets, which can be used to start conversations with Ministries of Health about vaccine availability, national surveillance efforts and the availability of national plans to defeat meningitis in each country.
For further data and insights to defeat meningitis visit: Homepage - Meningitis Progress Tracker.
To learn more read the report, The Meningitis Progress Tracker: harnessing global vaccine data to defeat meningitis