The Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030:

The Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 is a WHO initiative driven by MRF (Meningitis Research Foundation) and its global network CoMO (Confederation of Meningitis Organisations), and is supported by The Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand.

In 2017, representatives from patient organisations, governments, global and regional health organisations, public health bodies, academia, and the private sector called for a globally coordinated vision to defeat meningitis. With progress in defeating meningitis lagging behind other vaccine preventable diseases, the WHO started to develop the road map. This ambitious plan aims to defeat meningitis by 2030 and five main pillars have been identified as essential focal points: 

1. Prevention and epidemic control

2. Diagnosis and treatment

3. Surveillance

4. Support and care for people affected by meningitis

5. Advocacy and engagement

Multiple reviews and consultations, involving experts, patient advocacy organisations and members of the public, have further shaped the road map into one that represents the views of those affected.

The Executive Board of the WHO discussed the road map in February 2020 and formally agreed it should be brought before the World Health Assembly in May 2020 as draft resolution EB146(6) on Meningitis Prevention and Control. It can be seen here. Discussion of the road map had to be delayed to a secondary World Health Assembly in November due to the pandemic but member states signaled their support of the plan. 

On the 13th of November 2020, CoMO were delighted to learn that the World Health Assembly approved the Road Map to Defeat Meningitis, a world first in meningitis advocacy and the culmination of years of work. Read the statement on this exciting news here. 

CoMO and its members are very supportive of this plan and will continue with advocacy and support work while also looking for new opportunities to increase our impact. In support of the road map and by facilitating global partnerships, CoMO are proud to support Goal 17 of the SDGs.

If you would like more information on the Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, please look at the following:

• April 2020: Latest draft – Defeating Meningitis by 2030 a global roadmap. 

• The WHO's webpage dedicated to the initiative. 

• The WHO’s webpage on meningococcal meningitis. 

• The Meningitis Research Foundation’s website. 

For further information on the process of developing the Global Roadmap please look at the following:

• July 2018: Report of the first Technical Taskforce meeting.

• February 2019: The Baseline Situation Analysis.

• March 2019: Report of the extended Technical Taskforce meeting. 

Let's #DefeatMeningitis