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New Meningococcal Immunization Recommendations Seek To Protect Adolescents And College Students From Potentially Fatal Meningococcal Disease

Posted on: Thursday, 10 February 2005, 18:00 CST

LEXINGTON PARK, Md., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Meningitis Association (NMA) applauds the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) new meningococcal immunization recommendations, issued February 10. The recommendations state young adolescents at the pre-adolescent visit (11-12 year old), adolescents at high school entry (15 year old) and college freshmen living in dormitories should be immunized against meningococcal meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, is a dangerous, potentially fatal bacterial infection that strikes nearly 3,000 Americans each year.

As parents of children who have died or suffered long-term effects of this disease, NMA regards these new recommendations as an important step towards minimizing the threat of meningococcal disease among adolescents and young adults.

"The NMA believes these new recommendations will help save the lives of teens and college students across the country," said Lynn Bozof, NMA executive director. "Research shows adolescents and young adults are at increased risk for meningococcal disease and more likely to die as a result of the disease than younger children or older adults. Once parents are made aware there is a vaccine to help prevent meningococcal disease -- something we at NMA didn't learn until it was too late -- we hope they will consider immunization."

In particular, adolescents and young adults are at an increased risk of contracting the disease due to certain lifestyle factors, such as crowded living conditions, move to a new residence, attendance at a new school with students from geographically diverse areas, sharing beverages or utensils, going to bars, active or passive smoking and irregular sleeping patterns.

Immunization is the best method of protection against meningococcal disease. It is believed that up to 80 percent of meningococcal meningitis cases among adolescents and young adults are potentially vaccine-preventable. Adolescents and young adults also should be aware of other ways to reduce their risk of contracting the disease, such as not sharing items that touch a person's mouth like cups, utensils and water bottles.

Meningococcal meningitis, although rare, is devastating because early symptoms resemble the flu, making it difficult to recognize. However unlike the flu, the disease can progress rapidly and within hours of initial symptoms, may cause hearing loss, brain damage, limb amputation and even death. Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, nausea, vomiting and exhaustion. In later stages, a rash may appear. Adolescents and young adults should seek medical attention immediately if they notice unusually sudden or severe symptoms of the disease.

About the National Meningitis Association

The National Meningitis Association (NMA) is a nonprofit organization founded by parents of children who have died or suffered long-term effects of meningococcal meningitis. NMA's mission is to educate families, medical professionals and others about bacterial meningitis and prevention approaches to the disease.

For more information about NMA and the organization's activities, or to contact a member of NMA, please call 1-866-FONE-NMA (1-866-366-3662) or visit http://www.nmaus.org/.

National Meningitis Association

CONTACT: Jennifer Corrigan, +1-732-382-8898 or Stephanie Wolf,+1-212-886-2200, for National Meningitis Association

Web site: http://www.nmaus.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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