The Ministry of Health announced an important health news through the online platform "Plus Me" - from autumn, a specialized vaccine against invasive meningococcal infection from serogroup B will be available in Bulgaria. Immunization can be applied to babies who are two months old, as well as to children up to 18 years of age.
Expert data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control shows the exceptional significance of this strain. In 2022, meningococci from serogroup B caused 62% of all documented cases of meningococcal infection in the European Union.
The statistics for Bulgaria are extremely alarming. Between 2015 and 2024, a total of 67 cases of invasive meningococcal infection have been registered, with 12 of them resulting in a fatal outcome. In more than half of the cases, meningococci from serogroup B were identified.
The most vulnerable age group turned out to be children, who make up between 80-90% of all infected. The highest morbidity is observed in children under five years of age, which further emphasizes the need for prevention.
It is important to note that immunization is voluntary and is carried out for a fee, as it is currently not included in the mandatory immunization calendar. While vaccines against meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y are already available in the pharmacy network, the one against group B was previously absent.