SEROGROUP-B MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE IN THE NORWEGIAN AIMED FORCES - WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM AN INCONCLUSIVE VACCINE PROTECTION TRIAL

Military recruits serving in the armed forces were severely affected d uring the latest serogroup B meningococcal epidemic in Norway. The ris k of developing systemic meningococcal disease (SMD) proved highest du ring the first 12 weeks of service. A double-blind, placebo-controlled protection trial with a meningococcal outer membrane vesicle vaccine took place between 1988 and 1991, but the number of proven SMD cases w as too low to allow for any conclusions. However, the results of a par allel efficacy study of the same vaccine among students in secondary s chool, cross-society examinations for asymptomatic throat carriage of meningococci and recent immunogenicity studies after two-and three-dos e vaccination schedules, suggest that a basic immunization of young te enagers followed by a booster injection at enrolment would contribute significantly to preventing SMD in the armed forces.