Can You Vaccinate Against Meningitis

Who Should Not Get A Meningococcal Vaccine

Your preteen or teen shouldn’t get the meningococcal vaccine if they:

• Has had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to a meningococcal vaccine before or to any vaccine component
• Is moderately or severely ill
• Has ever had Guillain-Barre syndrome

Pregnant women can get the meningococcal vaccine, but it’s only recommended for those with certain immune problems or those likely to be exposed to meningitis. With the newer MCV4 and MenB vaccines, there hasn’t been as much study in pregnant women compared to the MPSV4 vaccine.

Meningococcal B Vaccine Bexsero

Bexsero is broadly protective against meningococcal group B disease. Bexsero can be used to protect babies, children, adolescents and adults. Infants younger than twelve months of age need three doses to be fully protected. Older children, adolescents, and adults need two doses to be protected.

From 1 July 2021, Bexsero vaccine will be provided free of charge to close contacts of meningococcal cases of any meningococcal group , or people who are at higher risk of contracting meningococcal B disease because they:

• are pre- or post-splenectomy

• are pre- or post-solid organ transplant

• are post-bone marrow transplant

• are pre- or post-immunosuppression that will be/is longer than 28 days.

For others wishing to be protected against meningococcal B disease, Bexsero is available through your family doctor. The cost is approximately $150 per dose.

Bexsero is different to the MeNZB vaccine used in New Zealand between 2004 and 2011. The MeNZB vaccine was designed to target a specific type of meningococcal group B bacterium that only caused disease here in New Zealand. MeNZB was not meant for long term use. The vaccine was withdrawn once the rate of disease was significantly reduced. However, the active component of the MeNZB vaccine has contributed to the successful development of Bexsero.

Who Should Get The Meningococcal Vaccines

All children ages 11 through 12 years should receive meningococcal vaccine followed by a booster dose at age 16 years. Vaccination is also recommended for all adolescents ages 13 through 18 years who did not receive a dose at age 11-12 years.

Individuals ages 2 months and older who have certain conditions that weaken their immune system should receive meningococcal vaccine, including teens who are HIV positive. These persons should also receive booster shots every three to five years depending on their age. Talk to your health care provider if your preteen or teen has a condition that makes it harder for their body to fight off infection.

The MenB vaccine may also be given at age 16 years along with the MenACWY booster dose. MenB vaccine is also recommended for children age 10 years and older with certain high-risk conditions. The number of doses needed depends on the product used and if your child has a high-risk condition. Talk to your health care provider about this additional vaccine.

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Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Vaccine

Before a vaccine became available for it, Haemophilus influenzae type b was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Hib is much less common today due to vaccinations.

Doctors usually administer the Hib vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. They will administer it again between the ages of 12 and 15 months.

The dosing regimen depends on the brand of vaccine an infant receives.

Doctors will give this vaccine either alone or as part of a combination vaccine.

How Is Bacterial Meningitis Treated

If you have bacterial meningitis, you will be treated with one or more antibiotics that target the bacteria causing your infection.

These antibiotics commonly include:

• Cephalosporin antibiotics, such as Claforan and Rocephin , for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenza type B meningitis
• Ampicillin , for Haemophilus influenzae type B and Listeria monocytogenes

A number of other antibiotics may also be used, such as:

• Cipro and Rifadin , which are sometimes given to family members of people with bacterial meningitis to help protect them from catching the infections

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What Are The Side Effects

About half of people who get a MenACWY vaccine have mild side effects following vaccination:

• Redness or pain where they got the shot
• Fever

These reactions usually get better on their own within 1 to 2 days, but serious reactions are possible.

Following a MenB shot, more than half of people who get the vaccine will have mild problems:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where you got the shot
• Tiredness

Wash Your Hands Vigorously

Just as with cold and flu viruses, the viruses and bacteria responsible for meningitis can get on your hands and into your mouth. You can prevent meningitis from spreading by washing your hands vigorously, especially after you use the bathroom, change a diaper, spend time in a crowded place, and cough or blow your nose. Use hot, soapy water and be sure to get both the fronts and backs of your hands and each finger. Rub your hands together for a full 20 seconds then rinse and dry them with a clean towel. “Hand sanitizers are fine, too,” Vassallo says.

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Your Kid May Not Be Vaccinated Against Meningitis B Gsk Tells Moms At Mom 20

Itâs October, which in a normal year means kids beginning to give any number of child plagues to each other and then to you. In 2020, of course, that may be different. So many kids are learning remotely, itâs unclear whether the usual bugs will get passed around as easily. What that does NOT mean is that we shouldnât keep vaccinating our kids. At the Mom 2.0 Summit last month, held virtually this year due to COVID-19, presenting sponsor GSK , the international pharmaceutical company, was on hand to discuss just that.

When you carry something in your nose, you’re going to spread it, from coughing, from sneezing, from saliva, from kissing, from sharing the red cups.

Again, those who have Men B usually donât get sick, but in rare cases â and doctors arenât exactly sure why â it can get into the bloodstream. When that happens, patients experience a rapid onset of disease that can cause âbrain damage, deafness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation,â according to a 2016 paper published in the journal Pathogens and Global Health. In 5 to 15% of cases, it causes death.

As the producer of the Men B vaccine, GSK obviously has a special interest in encouraging parents to vaccinate, but the stories of teen and young adult victims of Men B are pretty chilling.

Even though now people are not attending classes in college, many of them are living on campus. Also, people are out doing other things. The recommendations have not changed.

How Meningitis Is Spread

Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:

• sneezing
• coughing
• kissing

Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves.

It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.

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Persons With Inadequate Immunization Records

Children and adults lacking adequate documentation of immunization should be considered unimmunized and started on an immunization schedule appropriate for their age and risk factors. Conjugate meningococcal vaccine, as appropriate for age, may be given regardless of possible previous receipt of the vaccine, as adverse events associated with repeated immunization have not been demonstrated. Refer to Immunization of persons with inadequate immunization records in Part 3 for additional general information.

What Are The Symptoms Of Meningococcal Disease

Signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease include sudden onset of fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or mental confusion. A rash may also be present. Changes in behavior such as confusion, sleepiness, and unresponsiveness are important symptoms of illness. Anyone who has these symptoms should be seen by a healthcare provider immediately. In fatal cases, death can occur in as little as a few hours, even with appropriate medical treatment. Less common presentations include pneumonia and arthritis.

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Stay Safe: Vaccination Is The Best Protection Against Meningitis

Meningitis strikes 5 million every year but prevention is possible

An estimated 20 million years of healthy life were lost to death or disability from meningitis in 2017. Almost 300,000 deaths are recorded every year. Immunisation can help to reduce the burden of this infectious disease.

World Meningitis Day is a reminder that the disease can strike anyone at any time and can kill in hours. The lives of survivors can be changed forever by organ damage, hearing loss, brain injury and limb loss.

The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations says prevention and early recognition of symptoms are key to tackling this devastating illness:

People who lose a loved one have their lives changed forever. Vaccines are our best tool for prevention. There are different vaccines to protect against different types of meningitis. Speak to your local healthcare provider today to learn whats available for you.

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Safe and effective vaccines are available to protect against the most common types of meningitis. More vaccines are coming, but not all meningitis is vaccine preventable, so it is important to learn the signs and symptoms.

Symptoms of meningitis include: fever, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, rash, seizures, muscle and neck pain, dislike of bright lights. Not all patients develop all symptoms, and the early signs can be hard to detect. The disease develops fast so if you suspect meningitis, seek urgent medical attention.

Should I Pay To Vaccinate My Child Against Meningitis B

Meningitis is a killer so immunisation is appealing. But at up to £390 for a full, three-jab course, and with limited effectiveness, its a hard choice to make

Meningitis B is a rare disease, but it could kill your child within hours the fatality rate is 5-10%. There is a new vaccine, but the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation says it should be restricted to children under a year old. But parents dread meningitis B, and after media reports of the death of two-year-old Faye Burdett in February, more than 820,000 people signed a petition asking the government to widen the vaccination programme. In the meantime, if you can afford it, should you pay for your child to be vaccinated?

The solution

Meningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord that can lead to blood poisoning. Meningococcal group B is now the commonest bacterial type , and infection risk peaks at around six months of age. It continues to infect children up until they are five years old, with another spike among teenagers although anyone can catch it. The bacteria are carried in the noses of healthy people teenagers are the main carriers. Meningitis Now suggests that vaccinating teenagers could reduce this risk.

If the JCVI approach works, and this vaccine is as good as the current one for Meningitis C then herd immunity for older children will take off.

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% Of All Meningococcal Disease Outbreaks On College Campuses In The Us Since 2011 Are Meningitis B

Among adolescents aged 17 years, 78.2% have NOT received 1 dose of MenB as compared to 11.1% of 17-year-old adolescents that have NOT received 1 dose of MenACWY. National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 1317 Years United States, 2019

Only 21.8% of adolescents aged 17 years have received 1 dose of MenB, a 4.6 percentage point increase from 17.2% in 2018.National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 1317 Years United States, 2019

Meningitis B is responsible for all US college outbreaks of meningococcal disease since 2011. Outbreak of Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease at a University California, 2016, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 27, 2016, 65

Meningitis B is more than 5 times more common in college students versus noncollege students.

More than 80% of parents have not heard of the MenB vaccine. Basta NE, Becker AB, Li Q, Nederhoff D. Parental awareness of Meningococcal B vaccines and willingness to vaccinate their teens. Vaccine. 2019 Jan 21 37:670-676.

How Common Is Menb Disease

MenB is now the cause of most cases of meningococcal disease in Scotland. There were 73 cases in Scotland in 2014. For 61 of these, it was possible to tell which type of infection caused them. Of the 61 cases, 42 were caused by type B .

Although this infection isn’t common, its very important to remember that MenB is extremely serious and can lead to permanent disability and death. The meningococcal bacteria can also cause local outbreaks in nurseries, schools and universities.

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Why The Meningitis B Vaccine Is Used

There are many reasons that the meningitis B vaccine was developed and why you would want to protect yourself and those you love against it.

Meningitis B is a serious disease that progresses quickly and can lead to death. The mortality rate from meningitis B in the United States is about 10 to 15 percent when treated and up to 50 percent when untreated. Its also possible to develop long-term conditions such as hearing loss or even brain damage after recovering from meningitis B.

The MenB bacterial infection is passed between people through saliva and respiratory fluids. Activities like sharing drinks, kissing, or coughing can spread the bacterium. The meningitis B vaccine can help reduce transmission between people and prevent or manage outbreaks.

Unlike many diseases, meningitis B is most common in young people. Infants and young children are at the highest risk. Adolescents and young adults are at the next highest risk of infection.

Between 2013 and 2018, meningococcal disease outbreaks occurred at 10 universities and led to two deaths. All 10 universities implemented MenB vaccination to prevent further spread.

Why Does My Meningitis Shot Still Hurt After A Week

If you have ever received a vaccination, you know your arm may feel a bit sore for a few days after the fact. The pain you are experiencing is usually soreness of the muscle where the injection was given. This pain is also a sign that your immune system is making antibodies in response to the viruses in the vaccine.

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Why Do Teens Need A Meningococcal Vaccine

Of the 1,000-2,600 people who get meningococcal disease each year, one-third are teens and young adults. Ten percent to 15% of those who get sick with the disease will die, even with antibiotic treatment. As many as 20% of the survivorswill have permanent side effects, such as hearing loss or brain damage.

The immunization can help prevent this serious disease.

You Could Help Protect Others

Having the vaccination doesn’t just protect you. Because teens and young adults are the biggest carriers of meningococcal bacteria, they are also the ones most likely to spread it. “What we have found, therefore, is that vaccinating teens against a strain of meningitis bacteria causes rates of infection for that strain to drop in everyone,” says Wright. “When the government started vaccinating teens against meningitis C in 1999, rates fell across the whole population.”

However, in 2016 only 33% of eligible people had the ACWY jab so this ‘herd protection’ is not as good as it could be.

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How Is Viral Meningitis Treated

Antibiotics cannot kill viruses. If you have viral meningitis, you will be taken off whatever antibiotic therapy you may have been initially given.

There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis, which is often mild.

Most of the time, people recover from viral meningitis in 7 to 10 days with little more than rest, over-the-counter fever reducers or pain medication, and proper fluid intake.

But if you have meningitis caused by a herpes virus or influenza, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, such as:

• Cytovene or Foscavir , which are sometimes used to treat cytomegalovirus meningitis in people with weakened immune systems
• Zovirax , which may be used to treat meningitis from the herpes simplex virus

What Is Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus . Meningococcal disease is not very common in the United States, but teens and young adults are at increased risk.

The two most common types of infections are

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Persons New To Canada

Health care providers who see persons newly arrived in Canada should review the immunization status and update immunization for these individuals. Review of meningococcal vaccination status is particularly important for persons from areas of the world where sickle cell disease is present as persons with sickle cell disease are at risk of serious meningococcal infections. In many countries outside of Canada, conjugate meningococcal vaccines are in limited use. Information on vaccination schedules in other countries can be found on the World Health Organization website. Refer to Immunization of Persons New to Canada in Part 3 for additional general information.