The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) has called for stronger and coordinated action to defeat meningitis in the country as the world marks World Meningitis Day 2025 on Oct. 5, emphasizing the urgent need for earlier diagnosis, survivor support, and sustained public education.

This year’s observance comes as the world reaches the halfway point of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, which seeks to eliminate epidemics of the disease worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. It may result from infections or non-infectious conditions and poses a high risk of death and lasting disabilities without prompt treatment.

WHO added that meningitis remains a serious global health threat and can be caused by various bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, with a few cases linked to injury, cancer, or drug reactions.

Per the Meningitis Progress Tracker, the Philippines ranks 32nd out of 194 countries in meningitis cases globally and second among 27 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Nearly 40 percent of global meningitis deaths occur among children under five, making early protection critical, PFV said.

“The Philippines ranks among the highest in meningitis incidence both globally and regionally. The burden remains high, and our response must change and improve,” Dr. Lulu Bravo, PFV executive director and pediatric infectious disease expert, said.

“We continue to see delayed diagnosis, underreporting, and gaps in survivor care. If we are to meet the Roadmap targets, we need stronger surveillance, faster referral pathways, and better long-term support for children and families affected by meningitis.”

PFV President Dr. Rose Capeding stressed that protecting children in the first 1,000 days of life is essential.

“Meningitis can be devastating. No one should endure its lifelong impact on patients, their families, and even their communities. The First 1,000 Days determine how a child’s brain, immunity, and development take shape, and when meningitis strikes in this window, the consequences are often irreversible. Protecting children during this period is not optional—it is our responsibility,” she said.

GSK Philippines, which partnered with PFV in marking the global observance, underscored the importance of a whole-of-society approach in tackling meningitis.

“Meningitis cannot be solved by science alone. It requires systems that detect early, health programs that reach the most vulnerable, and partnerships that connect global goals to local realities,” Dr. Gio Barangan, GSK Philippines country medical director, said.