The burden of hospitalizations for meningococcal infection in Spain (1997–2008)

Highlights ► We studied the burden of hospitalization for meningococcal infection in the general population in Spain using the surveillance system for hospital data. ► We compare it to the microbiology information system and the notifiable diseases system. ► The hospitalization rate was 2.33, 1.23 and 1.29 cases per 100,000 for invasive meningococcal disease, meningococcal meningitis and meningococcemia. ► Although an important decrease in morbidity and mortality occurred in the last twelve years, it continues being a major cause of hospitalization and death, especially in children younger than 2.