Starting in the 2016-2017 school year, the state of Missouri is now requiring all incoming 8th graders to have a Meningococcal vaccine. It can be given at the same time as the required TDap booster. You can get this vaccination at the Howell County Health Dept, your family doctors office and even some of our local pharmacies.
Here is some more info on the Meningococcal vaccine from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior services. Meningococcal Disease What You Need to Know What is meningococcal disease? Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis that can affect the blood stream, brain and spinal cord. There are thirteen different serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis that can cause disease, five of which cause the most disease in the United States. Meningococcal disease is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States. About 1,000 people get meningococcal disease each year in the United States. Although meningococcal disease is somewhat rare, 10 to 14 percent of infected people die from the disease. In instances where it is not fatal, it can lead to permanent brain damage, loss of hearing, loss of arms and legs and potentially lifelong disability. Although anyone can contract meningococcal disease, it is most common in infants less than one year of age, in adolescents 16 to 21 years of age and in people with certain medical conditions, such as the lack of a spleen. Adolescents and young adults have an increased incidence of disease, accounting for nearly 15 percent of all United States cases. College students are susceptible to meningococcal disease because they live in close quarters and often share food, drink and cosmetics. What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease? The symptoms of meningococcal disease may include high fever, chills, nausea, exhaustion and a rash. Early symptoms of meningococcal disease can be mistaken for influenza. An infected person may become seriously ill very quickly. If any of these symptoms are unusually sudden or severe, seek medical attention immediately. How is meningococcal disease diagnosed? Meningococcal disease is diagnosed by taking blood and spinal fluid samples from a person who is possibly infected. The medical laboratory will grow and identify the bacteria in culture to give a confirming diagnosis. Antibiotics can be used to treat meningococcal infections and reduce the risk of death, but sometimes the infection has caused too much damage to the body for antibiotics to prevent death or serious long-term disabilities. How does meningococcal disease spread? Meningococcal disease is spread person-to-person through exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. Kissing, sharing drinking glasses, food or eating utensils, sharing a cigarette or lipstick, coughing and having close social contact (living in the same household) are examples of how this disease spreads. How can you reduce the risk for getting meningococcal disease? The best way to reduce the risk of getting meningococcal disease is through immunization. Other ways to reduce the risk of meningococcal disease are to avoid sharing items that have touched someone’s mouth such as cups, bottles, food, cosmetics and smoking materials. What is the meningococcal vaccine? There are three kinds of meningococcal vaccine available in the United States:
Who should get the meningococcal vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of MCV4 for adolescents.
CDC recommends MCV4 or MPSV4 for:
CDC recommends MenB vaccine for:
MCV4 vaccines are 85 percent effective in protecting against four of the five major strains of the bacteria responsible for meningococcal disease. Have Questions? Individuals who have questions or concerns about meningococcal disease should contact their health care provider. Children may be eligible to receive free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program before their 19th birthday. Contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or your local public health agency to find out if your child is eligible. 716 (10-15) Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Immunizations 800.219.3224
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