Events Calendar

Adolescents and young adults are at risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a rare but serious and fast-moving infection. Yet this group is often underserved in national immunisation programmes, with recent outbreaks highlighting the consequences of persistent gaps in adolescent protection.

In 2021, the WHO launched the Defeating Meningitis by 2030 global roadmap, setting out a vision towards a world free of meningitis and underscoring the importance of stronger immunisation programmes. However, translating this global ambition into national policy and practice remains uneven.

With increasing focus on adolescent immunisation and a strengthening scientific rationale for protection, the 2026 European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) Annual Meeting represents a critical moment to convene a policy-focused event on the sidelines of the congress, aimed at advancing policy-relevant action.

Participants will consider key questions, including how adolescent IMD prevention can be better prioritised within health agendas, what barriers continue to delay policy decision-making, and what changes are needed in delivery to improve access and uptake, particularly among underserved groups.

Closing these gaps is essential to a life-course immunisation strategy, where vaccination across different stages of life can help reduce the risk of severe disease, long-term complications and pressure on health systems. This policy event will bring together clinical, policy and advocacy perspectives to identify practical next steps to strengthen adolescent IMD prevention in policy and practice.

This an invite-only event, if you are interested in attending, please contact us.

NP-GBL-MNU-BNNR-260003
May 2026


Sponsor: GSK
Media Partner: Euractiv