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Program Re-start
Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Region of Waterloo Public Health is resuming the school vaccine program. Kristy Wright, manager of the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program said, “We anticipate that approximately 18,000 students, across three school year cohorts, require one or more doses of the vaccines normally given in Grade 7”. The program offered in […]
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Basic Meningitis Information
Meningitis can be commonly caused by either viruses or bacteria but can also be caused by other means. People can protect themselves by keeping up to date with vaccinations, by being aware of potential sources of infection in their immediate environment, by learning about the symptoms and by discussing risks and testing with their doctors. […]
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Vaccination Mandates
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices currently recommends routine vaccination against 16 diseases from birth through age 18. All 50 states have mandated vaccinations for certain vaccine preventable diseases. Vaccination mandates in the U.S. date back to the 19th century. Read the full article
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Urgent Appeal
The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners launched the first ever global strategy to defeat meningitis by 2030. Bacterial meningitis is a debilitating disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people each year. Its focus is on preventing infections and improving care and diagnosis for those affected. Vinny Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Meningitis […]
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Meningitis Belt
The sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of meningococcal disease in the world making it the “meningitis belt”, as the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a meningitis outbreak in Tsopo Province. The disease is more common during the dry season from December through June. The best way to protect against meningococcal disease is getting vaccinated. Read […]
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Another Chance
Pitt County Health Department, North Carolina is offering immunization appointments for middle school and high school students or risk being expelled from class. The law requires students to provide proof of immunization within 30 days of when they began the school year. In addition, there is a meningococcal conjugate vaccination requirement for students entering seventh […]
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High Mortality
The Tshopo Provincial Health Division, in north central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak following reports of 261 suspected cases and 129 deaths due to Neisseria Meningitidis – one of the most frequent types of bacterial meningitis with the potential to cause large epidemics. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. […]
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Big Question
GSK launches its public health campaign, “Ask2BSure,” to educate & empower parents to talk with their child’s doctor to be sure if they have received meningitis B vaccination. Meningitis is a serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications, or even death. Adolescents and young adults are at an increased risk for contracting meningitis because it […]
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Science Says
Meningitis B is a type of meningococcal disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides. It is a serious infection that affects the lining of your brain and spinal cord. It can also spread quickly and even be fatal within 24 to 48 hours after symptoms begin. The best way to eliminate your risk of contracting N. meningitidis is […]
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Get Seen
Meningitis Now chief executive Dr Tom Nutt said: “Research has shown that up to a quarter of 15 to 24-year-olds carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in the back of their throats compared to one in 10 of the general population.’ The charity is warning people to assess their symptoms including fever, […]
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