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Staying Safe
Vaccines and vaccinations have protected people from many deadly diseases since small pox vaccine was first identified. Since then billions of people have been protected from many deadly diseases throughout the world. Strangely though, many people are reluctant to being vaccinated. Whether it’s fear of needles or concerns that some vaccines may have side effects, […]
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Vaccinate First
Roswell Independent School District superintendent stated, “More than 100 students are at risk of being dropped from classes if they do not receive required immunizations by the end of the year”. The state of New Mexico requires all children in daycare and schools to have certain immunizations completed and those in sixth and seventh grades […]
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Molecular Vulnerability
There has always been a question why some people are more susceptible to meningitis than other people. Research in Sweden has shown that the people who die from meningitis or have severe disabilities probably have been infected with a mutated strain of the disease. It further established that some people’s immune systems have a hidden […]
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Poverty connection
In New Zealand, the five main types of meningococcal disease are A, B, C, Y and W. About half of the cases is caused by Type B — the one most people have heard of which usually affects infants, young children and adolescents. The rates are higher among Maori and Pasifika communities and with infants […]
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MenQuadfi Vaccine
The European Commission (EC) has approved MenQuadfi immunization of individuals from the age of 12 months and older against invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria Meningitidis serogroups A, C, W and Y. Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) epidemiology has been a challenge because it is highly unpredictable and varies widely with different countries leaving room for […]
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Clinical Trials
An important trial for which Griffith’s Clinical Trial Unit, alongside other research sites in Canada, USA, Europe, Turkey and Australia, is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a combined Meningococcal vaccine in young adults. Dr. Claire Williams, the Clinical Trial Unit’s Business and Operations Manager, said, “We’re really pleased to be taking part […]
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Basic Facts
Neisseria Meningitidis is the meningococcus responsible for bacterial meningitis and septicemia. This is considered a medical emergency because death can rapidly follow infection. Richard Benson, a spokesperson at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Even with antibiotic treatment, 1 in 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die from the infection. Up to […]
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Immunization Decline
New Ministry of Health, “Statistics show a drop in the vaccination rates of infants over the last quarter, when compared to the previous year. This decline in immunisation coverage could mean thousands of New Zealand infants are unprotected from serious, but vaccine-preventable illnesses.” Auckland University Professor and director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) Dr […]
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Moving Campaign
“Take Care of Meningitis” is the initiative based on real cases of survivors of meningococcal disease that seeks to raise awareness about the importance of learning about this disease and its forms of prevention. The goal is “to sensitize the population to the disease so that parents can have informed conversations about it with their […]
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Expand Schedule
A two year old boy diagnosed with meningococcal sepsis in central Queensland has died. Local health officials have said, “Close contacts of the child, are being treated with antibiotics. As a precaution, we’re urging people in Mackay to be aware of symptoms of the disease.” Meningitis Centre Australia, (an advocacy group) chief executive Lisa D’Cruz […]
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