The 2001 serological survey in the Czech Republic--invasive meningococcal disease.

In 2001, 730 sera from the population of 14 areas of the Czech Republic aged between 1 and 64 years were tested by a microplate assay for the presence of bactericidal antibodies against N. meningitidis A:4,21:P1. 10, N. meningitidis B:2a:P1.2,P1.5 and N. meningitidis C:2a:P1.2,P1.5. The Czech population showed high immunity against N. meningitidis A:4,21:P1.10, but low immunity against N. meningitidis B:2a:P1.2,P1.5 and N. meningitidis C:2a:P1.2,P1.5. The current epidemiological situation requires neither vaccination against meningococcus A nor inclusion of conjugated vaccine against meningococcus C into routine vaccination. Nevertheless, the invasive meningococcal disease surveillance programme needs to be continued since enabling rapid detection of possible changes in the epidemiological situation and subsequent vaccination intervention, if epidemiologically indicated. Conjugated vaccine against meningococcus C should replace polysaccharide vaccine A+C in all indications currently relevant in the Czech Republic.