Who is most affected by meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease can affect anyone but those under 20 years of age are at greater risk, with children under five years being most at risk. It is not known why some people come into contact with meningococcal bacteria get sick and others don’t.80 out of every 100 cases of meningococcal disease occur in babies, children and young people aged 0-19 years.Pacific peoples and Māori contract meningococcal disease at higher rates than other New Zealanders and are affected at four times the rate of other New Zealanders.
