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Too Costly
New Zealander children are dying and being left disabled because vaccines that protect against meningococcal disease cost about $150 per dose. Parents are not even aware that the vaccines exist. The Meningitis Foundation petitioned the Parliament in early 2022 asking the Government to provide free vaccines for all preventable forms of meningococcal disease to students […]
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Most Vulnerable
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious disease caused by a bacterium, Neisseria Meningitidis or the meningococcus bacteria. It can affect the brain & spinal cord and also the blood. It affects anyone of all ages but the most at risk are the children under 5 years old, adolescents & young adults. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment […]
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Defeat Meningitis
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said, “Wherever it occurs, meningitis can be deadly and debilitating; it strikes quickly, has serious health, economic and social consequences, and causes devastating outbreaks.” So WHO (World Health Organization) started a global initiative to “Defeat Meningitis by 2030” by laying out plans to help countries expand access to vaccines, […]
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Invasive Disease
In Australia, there are 13 different types of meningococcal with the most common being types B and W. A 20-year-old man from regional South Australia died after being diagnosed with the serotype B strain of invasive meningococcal disease. Then just last week, a seven-year girl was diagnosed with the W strain of the disease remains […]
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Overcoming Loss
Jennifer Stratton’s daughter , Caitlin, wanted to share a photo with her kindergarten class of an athlete wearing his gold medal in wheelchair rugby at the 2008 Paralympic Games. The teacher wouldn’t allow it because it might scare the children. Stratton decided to write a children’s book about Nick Springer’s life, “Nick Springer on the […]
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Act Quickly!
Alliannah, a six year old, started vomiting & had a fever. Bianca & Hailey, her mother & aunt respectively weren’t too concerned as there was some “gastro” infections going around. Alliannah became lethargic, turned away food and drink. Bianca noticed light purple blotches on her daughter’s stomach and that’s when she was rushed to the […]
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In Remembrance
Kai Matthews’ parents raise money to cover the cost of meningitis B vaccines months after losing their son, for Acadia University students. They said, “It’s unimaginable to lose a child especially to a preventable disease’. Kai’s family spoke out about the importance of the vaccine and knowing the symptoms of meningitis B. They originally had […]
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Meningitis B
Meningococcal disease is caused by the Neisseria Meningitidis bacteria. Meningitis B is one of the several types that can infect the meninges — the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It can also cause an infection of the blood called bacteremia, or blood poisoning. It is important to seek immediate treatment if a person is exhibiting […]
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Exeter Cases
Tragedy first stuck the Exeter University in 2019 when an 18 year old premed student was found dead in his bed on campus. Another student has been diagnosed with meningitis with no direct link with each other, The University offers the Men ACWY vaccination to first year students under the age of 25 for free, […]
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Close Contacts
The Ministry of Public Health are working on a strong prophylaxis operation to avoid and even detect possible infections. A 14-year-old boy was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis and about 30 close contacts are medicated and monitored to assess their health. As Miguel Coria, head of Sanitary Zone 1, said, “This disease is spread from person […]
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