Meningococcal Vaccine UPDATE

     Meningitis infections don’t happen very often, but can be very dangerous when they do. Even if they get treatment, about 10 to 15 out of 100 people with meningococcal disease will die from it.

      Meningitis can spread from person to person. The bacteria that cause this infection can spread when people have close or lengthy contact with someone’s saliva, like through kissing or coughing, especially if they are living in the same place. Teens and young adults are at increased risk for meningococcal disease.

     All 11 to 12 year olds should be vaccinated with a single dose of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine. 

    Older teens need a second shot when they are 16 years old so they stay protected when their risk is the highest.

   Teens who got meningococcal vaccine for the first time when they were 13, 14, or 15 years old should still get the booster shot when they are 16 years old. If your older teen didn’t get the meningococcal shot at all, you should talk to someone about getting it as soon as possible.   

   Meningitis is deadly and can act quickly. Unfortunately, 16-18 year olds have very low immunization rates and we have 4500 teens in New Hanover County that are due for a second dose of the vaccine. To learn more about this serious disease from survivors and family 

members, please visit http://www.VoicesofMeningitis.org.

    Vaccines are available through your doctor, the New Hanover County Health Department, and the WHAT clinic on Oleander Drive.  Please feel free to call me at 251-6100 ext. 260 with any questions.  

Laurie Parks, RN, 

School nurse, NHHS.