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.