In a renewed public health push, medical experts and child health advocates have urged parents to prioritise timely meningitis vaccination, warning that the deadly “brain fever” continues to claim thousands of young lives every year. With over 2.5 million cases reported globally annually and nearly 70% of fatalities occurring in children below five, the Meningitis Awareness Initiative seeks to highlight the importance of early detection and prevention. India remains among the top three countries with the highest meningitis-related deaths, driven largely by Acute Bacterial Meningitis. Of the three major pathogens, Neisseria meningitidis shows a case fatality rate of up to 15% with treatment and 50% without. Studies also indicate an alarming rise in cases among children under two years.
In Kolkata, paediatric specialists emphasise growing awareness but warn that high-risk groups—particularly students and frequent travellers—must take extra precautions. “Timely immunisation is the most effective protection,” said Dr. Arunaloke Bhattacharyya of the Institute of Child Health. Parents in the city’s densely populated neighbourhoods are increasingly seeking guidance, reflecting changing attitudes in the Kolkata market toward preventive healthcare.
To strengthen protection, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends a two-dose meningococcal vaccine schedule for children aged 9–23 months and a single dose for those above two years at increased risk. The WHO’s 2030 roadmap aims to cut vaccine-preventable meningitis cases by 50% and deaths by 70%. The initiative urges parents to ensure children above nine months receive the recommended vaccines, reinforcing that proactive action today can save lives tomorrow.