Data to drive change: three ways the Meningitis Progress Tracker can be used to defeat meningitis

This World Immunization Week, Meningitis Research Foundation published The Meningitis Progress Tracker: harnessing global vaccine data to defeat meningitis; a groundbreaking new report which aims to provide meningitis advocates with the information they need to drive change. 

The report is informed by insights from the Meningitis Progress Tracker. Hosted by Meningitis Research Foundation, this is the only interactive dashboard to bring together global meningitis estimates to equip advocates with the data to drive change to defeat meningitis. 

Read on for some ideas on how the Meningitis Progress Tracker could support your vaccine advocacy efforts:  

1. Build your understanding of meningitis in your country  

We know how important evidence is for advocates pushing for change. Being able to present policy-makers with evidence based geographically-relevant data is a critical tool in effective advocacy. 

Use the Meningitis Progress Tracker to build your understanding of meningitis in your country; the number of cases of meningitis, the number of people who die from meningitis and which types of meningitis are most prevalent. 

You can also use the Meningitis Progress Tracker to find out if your country has a national meningitis action plan; something all WHO member states agreed to develop when they approved the WHO’s Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030.  

The Meningitis Progress Tracker aims to put data in advocates hands to equip you with the information you need to push for change. 

2. To check vaccine availability  

Meningitis is largely preventable by vaccines, but progress lags behind that of other infectious diseases. 

Explore the data in the tracker to find out what vaccines are available in your country. You can discover which vaccines are part of the routine immunisation schedule, the proportion of children who have been vaccinated and how progress in your country compares globally.  

If you see a gap in your country, this information could help you to develop an evidence-based argument to start a conversation with your Ministry of Health about vaccination coverage. Data can help you to drive the change you would like to see.

3. To support your story 

We know that behind every piece of data in the Meningitis Progress Tracker, there is a person. Each number represents an individual, family and community deeply affected.  

That is why it is so important for people with experience of meningitis to share their stories. Combined with data from the Meningitis Progress Tracker, personal stories can paint a powerful picture to policy-makers of the individual impact of national vaccine policies.  

 You can share your story, or read about others’ experiences, through Meningitis in your words; Meningitis Research Foundation’s digital collection of meningitis experiences from around the globe. 

We hope that advocates can use the Meningitis Progress Tracker and the first Data to defeat meningitis report to call for equitable, locally-appropriate vaccination programmes – saving lives and helping to defeat meningitis. 

Read the full report here:  The Meningitis Progress Tracker: harnessing global vaccine data to defeat meningitis 

Explore the Meningitis Progress Tracker here: tracker.meningitis.org