The immunity gap in childhood due to the COVID-19 pandemic

1. Professor Muhamed-Kheir TAHA MD, PhD, HDR
Institut Pasteur
Invasive Bacterial Infections
Reference centre for meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae
WHOcc for meningitis
MRF Conference 2021
Lessons and impact for meningitis in the
COVID-19 era
The immunity gap in childhood due to
the COVID-19 pandemic
01 November 2021

2. Cumulative numbers of IMD cases 2014-2020
N°
of
cases
Data MK Taha
2020

3. Distribution of IMD cases in France
according to CC 2011-2020
N°
of
cases
Data MK Taha

4. Vaccines use in France during the Covid-19
epidemic: 2020 (MCC)
5-month Dose
12-month Dose
Taine et al., Front. Pediatr., 28 May 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.666848

5. Distribution of IMDW cases in France
according to age groups 2011-2021 (August)
N°
of
cases
Data MK Taha
<1 y 1-5 y 6-10 y 11-15 y 16-25 y 25-64 y ≥65 y

6. Anti-PRP
µg/ml
Hong et al., BMC InfectDis 2021
3+1 scheme until 2012
(2/3/4+16mo)
2+1 scheme since 2013
2,4+11 mo
Non-optimal scheme of vaccination against Hib:
Sero-prevalence data
Age group

7. -20%
-14%
Evolution penta/hexavalentdelivary vaccines for infants
Vaccines use in France during the Covid-19
epidemic: 2020

8. Data MK Taha
Distribution of IHiD cases in France
according 2011-2021

9. Conclusions
• Reduced circulation of isolates may result in reduced herd immunity.
•The implementation of social and physical distancing in 2020 was also associated
with reduced vaccines uptake.
•Countries will require plans to re-promote vaccination against IBI.