Are You Protected From Meningococcal Disease

Are You Protected From Meningococcal Disease unsplash.com In recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month (August), NFID is urging everyone to learn about meningococcal disease and how to prevent it. Recent meningococcal outbreaks on U.S. college campuses reveal the importance of vaccination against the potentially deadly infection. A serious bacterial infection that often leads to severe swelling of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or infection of the bloodstream (meningococcemia), meningococcal disease will kill about 10 to 15 people out of 100 infected. About 11 to 19 out of every 100 survivors will have long-term disabilities including loss of limbs, deafness, nervous system problems or brain damage. Those aged 16-23 are at increased risk for contracting meningococcal disease. Vaccines that prevent against four of the five major strains of the disease A, C, W and Y are routinely recommended. However in 2015, the FDA approved a vaccine for serogroup B, and the CDC made a recommendation for its use in young adults aged 16-23. Serogroup B meningococcal disease was the group responsible for outbreaks at University of California, UCSB, Rutgers University, Santa Clara University, and others. NFID Medical Director William Schaffner said that “vaccination continues to be a critical part of college health communications, particularly for meningococcal disease.” “When cases or outbreaks occur on a college campus, it can be devastating and the cause of much anxiety. NFID is working to increase awareness and education about the disease and vaccines available to help prevent it.”