[Prevention of secondary cases of invasive meningococcal infection: role of chemoprophylaxis and vaccination].

Prevention of secondary cases of invasive meningococcal disease is based on the rapid administration of chemoprophylaxis and depending on circumstances, conjugate vaccine against group C meningococci. The targeted group is close contacts of the patient, mainly household members. When two or more cases take place in schools, chemoprophylaxis and vaccination are offered to classmates and teachers. First-line antimicrobials are quinolones for adults, rifampin for children and ceftriaxone for pregnant and lactating women. Three highly efficacious (> 90%) conjugate vaccines that provide long-lasting protection have been recently made available in Switzerland.