Health Center nurses will be visiting local schools this Fall to provide important vaccination conveniently while your child is at school.

Being exposed to risky or dangerous behavior is often a part of adolescence. It’s important to teach children how to make the right decision about behaviors such as smoking, drinking, cyber bullying, texting while driving and so on.

As a parent, it is also natural for you to do everything you can to protect your family. That’s why we want you to know about the importance of meningococcal vaccination to help you protect your teen.

Meningococcal meningitis is rare, but when it strikes, it can change a life in less than 24 hours. Sadly our teenagers are at increased risk for the disease and its devastating consequences.

One of the reasons this age group is at risk is their lifestyle at this age.  Kids often gather in groups, hang out or live in close quarters with others, kiss, smoke, share drinks and utensils…all these behaviors can pass meningitis between two or more people.

Of the 800 to 1200 people who get meningococcal disease in the US each year, 10% to 15% will die.

Millions of teens are potentially under-protected.  That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a meningitis booster shot at ages 16 to 18 years.  Teenagers and young adults are at greater risk of getting meningococcal disease (meningitis) as their immunity from the initial vaccination wanes.   Even if your teen already received a meningitis shot at age 11 and 12 years, he or she still needs a second vaccination as early as 16 years of age.  This booster dose can help protect your teen from the potential risks associated with meningococcal disease. 

Why is meningococcal disease so serious?   Also known as meningitis, meningococcal disease is a rare, but very dangerous bacterial infection.  Even in healthy people, the disease can develop quickly and cause life-threatening complications within hours.  Up to 1 in 5 survivors can suffer from lifelong complications, including loss of a limb, hearing loss, and brain damage.

How can meningococcal disease be prevented? According to the CDC, the best way to prevent meningococcal disease is through vaccination. 

Who should get vaccinated?

• Adolescents 11-18 years of age should receive a routine vaccination. The best time to get vaccinated is at the 11- to 12-year checkup

• Teens 16 years of age should receive a booster, if previously vaccinated at 11 or 12 years of age

• College freshmen living in dormitories, if not previously vaccinated 

• Anyone at an increased risk for meningococcal disease

How is meningococcal disease spread? The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are spread from person to person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions(for example, by coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing drinking glasses with an infected person).

What are the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease? At first, meningococcal disease may feel like the flu. However, the following symptoms should be addressed immediately to avoid potentially fatal complications:

• Severe headache • Sensitivity of eyes to light • High fever • Confusion • Stiff neck • Rash • Nausea and vomiting • Seizures • Cold hands and feet

Health Center nurses will be visiting local schools this Fall to provide this important vaccination conveniently while your child is at school.  Of course, they must have permission to receive the vaccination—forms can be found online at www.livcohealthcenter.com  and will be distributed through the school nurse this fall. 

Parents of 7^th graders and 11^th graders can get a head start by having their kids vaccinated now, rather than waiting until the next school year.  If you would like to do this, call the Health Center at 646-5506 to schedule an appointment.  We have three monthly immunization clinics at varying times to accommodate families.

Now that you are armed with this important information, you may be better able to help protect your family against this vaccine-preventable disease.  As always, talk to your health care professional about any questions or concerns you may have. For more information, you can also visit the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html.

Source: Centers for Disease Control, Voices of Meningitis