Meningococcal disease in Brazil (2015–2024): temporal trends and regional disparities in vaccination and hospitalizations
Vigil Sanit Debate, Rio de Janeiro, 2026, v.14: e02509| Published on: 2026-04-06
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22239/2317-269X.02509Keywords:
Meningococcal Infection, Meningococcal Vaccine, Meningitis, EpidemiologyAbstract
Introduction: Understanding the epidemiological profile and regional differences over time of meningococcal infection allows identifying the most vulnerable patients, gaps in vaccination coverage, and disparities between regions, guiding epidemiological surveillance. Objective: To analyze temporal trends and disparities in meningococcal disease rates across Brazilian states from 2015 to 2024. Methods: An ecological study was conducted in Brazil and its states (2015–2024) through time-series analysis with choropleth maps to assess the spatial distribution of vaccination, hospitalizations, and death rates due to meningococcal infection. ARIMAX modeling analysis and joinpoint regression were performed to identify changes in trends. Results: A total of 9,077 hospitalizations and 1,118 deaths due to meningococcal infections were identified. Children under 10 years and adults up to 60 years were the most affected age groups. Spatially, Roraima and Bahia had the highest average hospitalization rates, whereas Alagoas and Espírito Santo had the lowest. Significant amplitude and trend changes were observed in Rio de Janeiro and Roraima. The ARIMAX model identified an increase in deaths and a reduction in hospitalizations associated with meningococcemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Individuals whose skin colors were classified as Pardo according to IBGE criteria, mainly children, living in Roraima and Bahia, have the highest risk of hospitalization due to meningococcal infection. Amapá, Pará, and Roraima had the lowest means of vaccination coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with reduced diagnosis and increased mortality. Increases in vaccination coverage have a protective effect against hospitalization and death due to meningococcemia.
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Author Biographies
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Alisson Rafael de Oliveira Pereira, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
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Lucas Abreu Dias, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
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Rodrigo Ferreira de Moura, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
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Miriam Monteiro de Castro Graciano, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
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Data and other materials used in the review are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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