News Release                                                   For Immediate Release

                                                                                                March 7, 2005

Parents, Protect Your Teens!

Free meningitis vaccine now available

On Saturday, February 26, a youth from the Peterborough area died of meningitis, type C.  This type of meningitis killed two teenagers in Grey and Bruce Counties in the past.  Teens are at higher risk of meningitis than the general population because there is more sharing of food, drinks, cigarettes and kisses.  Type C meningococcal outbreaks occurred recently in Waterloo, Ottawa, and Sudbury.  The death rate in Ontario for type C has been very high (40%) in 2002 and 2003. 

Meningitis is a serious infection of the lining of the brain and/or spinal cord. It can appear suddenly with symptoms of fever, headache, stiff neck, and rash.  Often healthy people become infected.  Not only does meningitis have a high death rate, it can also lead to severe complications, such as limb amputations, hearing loss and brain damage. 

As of January 1, 2005, meningitis C vaccine is free to

·        anyone born between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 1990

·        students in Grade 7

·        one year olds.

Anyone may purchase the vaccine if they do not meet the eligibility criteria.  The cost is over $100.

The meningococcal C conjugate vaccine is 92% to 97% effective.  It has been used extensively in many countries for mass immunization programs to contain outbreaks.  It has also had widespread use to prevent disease in high-risk groups.  In the UK, following a large-scale immunization program, the number of deaths due to invasive meningococcal disease, type C, fell by 91% in persons less than 20 years of age. 

Mild reactions such as redness and soreness at the injection site are the most common adverse reactions.  The vaccine has an established safety record.

Some children may have received Hib (Haemophilus influenza b) vaccine when they were very young to protect against meningitis.  The meningococcal C vaccine is different as it protects against invasive meningococcal, type C.

Not only is it really important that people have personal protection but it is a critical public health issue.   Up to 30% of the population carry this bacteria at any time.

The secondary school clinic dates are listed below. The clinics start at 9:00 a.m. and will last as long as necessary.  Consent forms and more information about this vaccination will be sent home with your child prior to the clinic.

Grade 7 school clinics will be held from March to June. 

For more information, please contact the Public Health Unit at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, or visit www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Karen Sweiger

Public Health Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420