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Additional Protection
Children starting secondary school in September are to be offered a new meningitis vaccine, MenACWY. The vaccine is aimed at providing additional protection against meningococcal C and other types of meningococcal disease -W and Y- that have increased in Ireland in the past few years. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said, “All parents are encouraged […]
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Emerging Strains
A study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, by researchers from Leicester, the University of Nottingham and Public Health England collaborate to explore the reasons behind 2013’s rapid expansion in MenW ST11, a specific strain of Neisseria Meningitidis. “Since 2009 there has been a significant increase in the number of young adults carrying MenW […]
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It can happen to anyone
Sarah Hayward, 51 years old, felt “strange” wondered if she’d had her drink spiked after a night out with her pals. Within 24 hours, she was being rushed to hospital in a semi-comatose state after contracting meningitis (Men W strain). She had a heart attack, her organs began to fail and remained unconscious for two […]
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Expand Recommendation
Aracelly Bibl did everything right. She prioritized the health of her three boys and made sure they were up to date on their recommended vaccinations. Bibl’s oldest 18 year old son, Joseph Clouse, died from meningitis B. Bibl was not informed about the available vaccine for MenB. The ACIP is a group of external advisors […]
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Know the Facts
Quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine became available in the United States in 2005 which offers protection against ACWY strains of meningococcal meningitis or septicemia. In 2014-15, meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines became available. Young people 16-23 years of age who are determined to be at risk for this illness should be offered this new product. A recent […]
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Early Detection
Ollie Hall, from Halesworth, died at the James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) after suddenly contracting what doctors determined was meningococcal septicaemia. Paramedics decided not to send the boy to hospital, despite his family raising concerns of meningitis, and instead took him to see GPs at the nearby Cutlers Hill Surgery. GPs at the surgery assessed […]
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Two Shots
It takes two different types of vaccines to help protect against the five vaccine-preventable types of meningococcal bacteria — A, B, C, W and Y. Meningitis is a life-threatening bacterial infection that can affect the lining of the brain and spinal cord, or it can cause an infection in the bloodstream — or both. Meningitis […]
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Complete Coverage Vaccination
Sara Stelzer, a freshman from San Diego State University, on a Saturday called her parents to complain of a bad headache soon paired with exhaustion and nausea. By Tuesday morning, a friend of Sara’s informed Greg and his wife Laurie via text message that Sara was in the emergency room. Though Sara’s doctors, after determining she […]
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Vacation Nightmare
Lilliana seven-month-old @ the time her family went on a dream vacation to Phuket, Thailand. Her mom, Elisha Robinson said,“I couldn’t believe it. She was well and happy in the morning and dying by lunchtime.” Liliana came down with a slight fever, taken to a local hospital to get checked out but just four hours […]
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Recognize the Signs
GSK as part of its ‘Know Meningitis’ campaign surveyed parents to raise meningitis awareness and offer advice on how to spot signs. Dr Philip Cruz, paediatrician and vaccines medical director for GSK UK and Ireland states, “Meningitis strikes fear into parents because of its devastating nature. There’s a window during which it’s vital to bring […]
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