Meningococcal disease surveillance in the Asia–Pacific region (2020): The global meningococcal initiative

•Incidence of meningococcal disease is similar across the Asia–Pacific region.•The most prevalent serogroups of N. meningitidis are B, w and Y, with c also emerging.•Except for China and Australia, vaccination is not included in NIPs across the region.•Antibiotic resistance is an ongoing concern, with non-susceptible strains emerging.•A number of countries have adopted whole genome sequencing in surveillance programs. The degree of surveillance data and control strategies for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) varies across the Asia–Pacific region. IMD cases are often reported throughout the region, but the disease is not notifiable in some countries, including Myanmar, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Although there remains a paucity of data from many countries, specific nations have introduced additional surveillance measures. The incidence of IMD is low and similar across the represented countries (