Meningitis vaccine: What you need to know about Type B
Are you or a loved one in college or living in close living quarters with others? Do you know someone who has developed meningococcal meningitis? Perhaps you have heard of the newly recommended meningitis serogroup B vaccines to be administered in addition to the previously required meningitis vaccines (covering serogroups A C W and Y). In the last four years meningitis B has been the culprit for multiple outbreaks on college campuses across the U.S. As a result numerous schools are now requiring meningitis vaccine with both vaccine series for adolescents and young adults.
What is meningococcal meningitis?
- Disease that involves inflammation and infection of the brain and spinal cord that is caused by a bacteria Neisseria meningitidis
- There are 12 types or "serogroups" of N. meningitidis the more common are: A B C Y W (B C and Y are the most common types)
- Symptoms include: headache fever stiff neck nausea light sensitivity and confusion
- Meningitis is fatal for 10-15% of all cases and leaves 10-20% with lifelong consequences such as amputation hearing loss or brain damage
Why get meningitis vaccine?
- Protect your life by preventing infection
- Prevent transmission to loved ones and community members at risk of infection
- High risk individuals include: Infants <1 year individuals 16-23 years of age immune compromised
- Prevent further outbreaks in the US
Many schools are now requiring vaccination of 16-18 year olds with the serogroup B meningitis vaccine in addition to previously required meningitis vaccines (covering serogroups A C W and Y). The additional coverage of this meningococcal strain is significant to protect our loved ones from contracting the life threatening infection as serogroup B has been responsible for several outbreaks within the U.S. prior to the vaccine. Be sure to talk with your primary care provider to discuss the meningitis B vaccine especially for college students and military members.
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For more information visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html