How does the situation in New Zealand compare internationally?
New Zealand has a high number of people catching meningococcal disease compared with other countries. However, of these people, the proportion of people that die from meningococcal disease is among the lowest in the world. We credit this in part, to high levels of community awareness about the need for speedy medical treatment, vigilance by parents and caregivers, and rapid, effective treatment by health professionals.Other countries are also working to combat meningococcal disease. For example, in Australia, England, Canada and the Netherlands a vaccine is offered to protect against the meningococcal C strain.In both Australia and England the rates of meningococcal C are higher than in New Zealand, where meningococcal B is the most predominant strain.
