Turkey
Four approaches to raising meningitis awareness in Turkey – Meningitis Volunteers Association (MVA)
What impact did World Meningitis Day 2025 have?
In just four years, the number of countries supporting World Meningitis Day has increased by 208%, making 2025 the biggest year yet for global participation.
Acting as a collective voice, we reached a record number of countries. Millions more people in every region of the world are now more aware of meningitis, its symptoms and impact and what needs to happen to defeat it.
Download the 2025 report
Acting as a collective voice, we reached a record number of countries. Millions more people in every region of the world are now more aware of meningitis, its symptoms and impact and what needs to happen to defeat it.
World Meningitis Day 2025 in numbers
A key milestone in the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 is achieving participation in World Meningitis Day from at least 80% of WHO member states. In 2025, more than three out of four WHO member states took part – a significant growth in participation in just four years, expanding our reach to 100 new countries.
-
148countries took action on World Meningitis Day.
-
76 %of WHO member states participated.
Questions you might have
World Meningitis Day 2025 received widespread support from people all over the world. This included leading global health organisations, governments and international institutions uniting health agencies, governments, hospitals, research institutes, industry leaders and community organisations.
Key supporters included:
- The World Health Organization regional and country offices.
- The United Nations.
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
- Sanofi.
- PATH.
- GSK.
Together, we helped drive life-saving awareness, strengthen vaccination efforts and remember those affected.
World Meningitis Day was launched in 2009 by the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO). It began with members undertaking activities in 19 countries. Since then, it’s grown from grassroots campaigning into a global movement.
CoMO members pioneered the very first World Meningitis Day in 2009. Today, CoMO is part of Meningitis Research Foundation, who now co-ordinate the day. Every year we reach millions of people with messages of prevention, understanding and hope. Many CoMO members continue to support World Meningitis Day every year, with 74 members participating in 2025.
People worldwide unite to raise life-saving awareness in a range of creative and impactful ways. These include sharing meningitis experiences, illuminating buildings, participating in television and radio interviews and expert health talks.
These actions help to spread vital information and drive momentum toward defeating meningitis.
Launched in 2024, the World Meningitis Day Advocacy Fund entered its second year in 2025. We invested a further £20,000 in global projects that enabled six CoMO members to broaden their reach and amplify their impact. See their case studies.
What other ways did CoMO members support World Meningitis Day 2025?
In 2025, 74 CoMO members in 37 countries made their voices heard.
Activity included:
• A series of meningitis awareness events in South Africa for the public and health professionals.
• Distribution of 140 bumper stickers across 34 US states and the launch of the Anthems for Action resilience playlist.
• A radio panel discussion in Sierra Leone to educate the public about meningitis signs, symptoms, and prevention.
• A webinar for researchers, health professionals, and students in the Ivory Coast covering diagnosis, treatment, lived experience, and field strategies.
• An awareness campaign in San José, Costa Rica, engaging volunteers, illuminating key landmarks, partnering with health authorities, and sharing educational materials across the city.
• National awareness in Brazil through landmark illumination, a historic congressional session, survivor storytelling, and widespread social media outreach on World Meningitis Day.
• A national congress engaging healthcare professionals and advocates on prevention and management.
Activity included:
• A series of meningitis awareness events in South Africa for the public and health professionals.
• Distribution of 140 bumper stickers across 34 US states and the launch of the Anthems for Action resilience playlist.
• A radio panel discussion in Sierra Leone to educate the public about meningitis signs, symptoms, and prevention.
• A webinar for researchers, health professionals, and students in the Ivory Coast covering diagnosis, treatment, lived experience, and field strategies.
• An awareness campaign in San José, Costa Rica, engaging volunteers, illuminating key landmarks, partnering with health authorities, and sharing educational materials across the city.
• National awareness in Brazil through landmark illumination, a historic congressional session, survivor storytelling, and widespread social media outreach on World Meningitis Day.
• A national congress engaging healthcare professionals and advocates on prevention and management.
Explore CoMO members' past activities and be inspired
Spain
Meningitis in Galicia: from disaster to success – Spanish Association Against Meningitis (AEM)
Other ways to take part in World Meningitis Day 2025
Join the global movement. Share your meningitis experience, raise life-saving awareness with the free materials in our campaign toolkit or help light the road at 20:30 (8:30pm) on 5th October.