Symbolic image of waning vaccine protection over time.

Meningitis C Immunity: Are We Protected Enough?

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Dutch study reveals the long-term impact of the MenC vaccine and raises questions about waning immunity."

Meningitis C is a serious infection that can lead to severe complications, especially in young children and adolescents. In 2002, the Netherlands introduced the Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MenCC) as a single dose for children at 14 months, followed by a catch-up campaign for those up to 18 years old. This initiative dramatically reduced MenC cases, but what about long-term protection?

A recent study investigated MenC-specific immunity in the Dutch population before and after the introduction of the MenCC vaccine. By analyzing serum samples collected in 1995/1996 and 2006/2007, researchers aimed to understand how the vaccine has impacted immunity levels over time.

This article breaks down the key findings of this research, exploring the effectiveness of the MenCC vaccine, how immunity changes with age, and what these insights might mean for future vaccination strategies and the ongoing protection of our communities.

How Effective is the MenC Vaccine Over Time?

Symbolic image of waning vaccine protection over time.

The study revealed some interesting trends in MenC-specific immunity. In individuals who received the catch-up immunization, MenC PS-specific IgG (a type of antibody) increased gradually with age, suggesting a sustained immune response in those vaccinated at older ages. However, for those vaccinated before the age of 5, these antibodies seemed to decline more rapidly.

The research also looked at serum bactericidal antibodies (SBA), which indicate functional immunity. Overall, SBA seroprevalence (the proportion of people with protective antibody levels) increased significantly after the MenC vaccine introduction. But what does this mean for different age groups?

Adolescents and Adults: The MenCC vaccine led to improved protection in adolescents.
Infants: A single-dose schedule may not provide sufficient long-term protection, potentially requiring a booster dose in adolescence.
Non-immunized Adults: PS-specific IgG was significantly lower after the MenC vaccination era, indicating that natural exposure to Meningitis C decreased.

These findings highlight the complex dynamics of vaccine-induced immunity and the importance of monitoring protection levels across different age groups.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Meningitis C Prevention?

The Dutch study provides valuable insights into the long-term impact of the MenCC vaccine. While the vaccine has been highly effective in reducing MenC cases, the findings suggest that a single-dose schedule in infancy may not provide sufficient long-term protection. This raises questions about the potential need for booster doses, particularly as those initially vaccinated as infants enter adolescence.

Furthermore, the lower IgG levels observed in non-immunized adults in the post-vaccination era warrant careful monitoring. If MenC circulation were to increase, these individuals might be at increased risk.

Ultimately, ongoing surveillance and adaptive vaccination strategies are crucial to ensure continued protection against Meningitis C and to safeguard public health.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012144, Alternate LINK

Title: Immunity Against Neisseria Meningitidis Serogroup C In The Dutch Population Before And After Introduction Of The Meningococcal C Conjugate Vaccine

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: PLoS ONE

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Authors: Richarda M. De Voer, Liesbeth Mollema, Rutger M. Schepp, Sabine C. De Greeff, Pieter G. M. Van Gageldonk, Hester E. De Melker, Elisabeth A. M. Sanders, Guy A. M. Berbers, Fiona R. M. Van Der Klis

Published: 2010-08-13

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MenCC), and what was its purpose?

The Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MenCC) is a vaccine introduced in the Netherlands in 2002 to combat Meningitis C, a serious infection. It was initially administered as a single dose to children at 14 months, followed by a catch-up campaign for those up to 18 years old. The primary goal of the MenCC vaccine was to reduce the number of Meningitis C cases, and it proved highly effective in achieving this, significantly decreasing the incidence of the disease. It is significant because it changed how the population was protected against Meningitis C.

What specific measures were used to assess the impact of the MenCC vaccine on immunity?

The study examined two key indicators of immunity: MenC PS-specific IgG antibodies and serum bactericidal antibodies (SBA). MenC PS-specific IgG levels, a type of antibody, were measured to understand the immune response over time. The research also evaluated SBA seroprevalence, which indicates the presence of functional immunity capable of neutralizing the bacteria. These measurements were crucial to assess the vaccine's effectiveness and how immunity varied across different age groups, providing insights into the long-term protection provided by the MenCC vaccine.

What are the potential implications of these findings for future vaccination strategies?

The Dutch study's findings have implications for future vaccination strategies. For infants, a single dose might not offer long-term immunity, possibly necessitating booster doses during adolescence. The study showed that the MenCC vaccine led to improved protection in adolescents. The decline in Meningitis C exposure among non-immunized adults is also relevant, showing a shift in the population's immune landscape. These insights suggest the importance of continuous monitoring of immunity levels and could influence future decisions on vaccination schedules to maintain community protection.

How has the MenCC vaccine affected the overall effectiveness and immunity levels?

The MenCC vaccine has been effective in reducing Meningitis C cases. After the vaccine introduction, there was a noticeable increase in the proportion of people with protective antibody levels (SBA seroprevalence). However, the study showed that immunity levels varied depending on the age at which the vaccine was received. While those who received the catch-up immunization showed sustained immune response, those vaccinated before age 5 had a more rapid decline in antibodies. This highlights the need to consider age-specific approaches for optimal protection.

What are the key takeaways about the long-term effectiveness of the MenCC vaccine?

The study revealed that the MenCC vaccine's effectiveness and long-term protection is complex. While it was highly effective in reducing Meningitis C cases, a single dose given in infancy might not provide sufficient long-term protection. This raises the question of whether booster doses are needed, especially as those initially vaccinated as infants grow older. This is particularly important because natural exposure to Meningitis C decreased after the MenCC vaccination program. The findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring of immunity and potentially adjusting vaccination strategies to ensure sustained protection across different age groups.