MENINGITIS Information
Re: Meningococcal Disease
Dear Parent or Guardian,
As you prepare for sports health exams or yearly check-ups, ensure your children are protected and up-to-date with all their vaccinations. I want to remind you about an important vaccination for a disease that may not be on the top of your mind – meningococcal disease.
According to a national survey* recently conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Voices of Meningitis, an educational initiative from the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur, approximately two out of three mothers have little to no knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations to help prevent meningococcal meningitis. The recommendations advise that a child receive an initial vaccination at age 11 or 12 years, followed by a second vaccination at age 16.1
As your school nurse, I am hoping to help change these statistics and make sure parents are aware of these guidelines to help prevent meningitis. I encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider to ensure your child is up-to-date with all of his or her vaccinations.
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that includes meningitis, swelling of the tissues around the brain and spinal cord; bacteremia, a severe blood infection; and pneumonia, a lung infection.1 It can be spread through coughs, sneezes, and the exchange of respiratory droplets such as saliva.1 As a result, individuals can catch the disease through common, everyday activities such as sharing water bottles, cups and utensils; kissing; and being in close quarters such as a dormitory or sleep-away summer camp. 2,3
Meningococcal disease can be difficult to recognize because early symptoms or signs are similar to those of common viral illnesses, such as the flu.4 The disease is rare, but it is very serious. It develops quickly and can take the life of an otherwise healthy child in as little as one day after symptoms first appear.2,4
I hope you find this information useful. Please call or visit me at my office if you have questions or concerns. I can be reached at 432-8691 ext 2012 and am in my office from 7 AM-3:10 PM. You can also talk to your child’s healthcare provider or visit www.VoicesOfMeningitis.org for more information.
Sincerely,
Kathy Bagian, MSN, RN, NCSN
Your School Nurse
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and control of meningococcal disease – recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). 2013;62(2):1-13. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6202a1.htm. Accessed July 31, 2013.
2. Stephens DS, Greenwood B, Brandtzaeg P. Epidemic meningitis, meningococcaemia, and Neisseria meningitidis. Lancet. 2007;369(9580):2199.
3. CDC. Meningococcal Disease. About: Causes and Transmission. http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/causes-transmission.html. Accessed March 24, 2014.
4. Pace, D. & Pollard, A. (2012) Meningococcal disease: Clinical presentation and sequelae. Vaccine. 30(S), 87.