Top marks for this meningitis vaccine

May 13 2008 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

In 2007, for the first time, there were no deaths from meningitis C in young people aged under 19. MARGARET CULSHAW, from the University of Huddersfield’s Division of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, on the success of the vaccination programme to prevent meningitis C

‘Before vaccination the disease had killed up to 78 young people a year and left others with serious complications’

ON April 21 the Department of Health issued an update on the progress of routine vaccination campaigns.

Amongst the surveys and statistics reported are the figures that demonstrate the success of the meningitis C vaccination campaign.

In 2007, for the first time, there were no deaths from meningitis C in young people aged under 19. Previously, the disease had killed up to 78 young people a year and left other survivors with serious complications such as brain damage or amputation.

The UK was the first country to introduce meningitis C vaccine (MenC) and the vaccine has been part of the routine childhood vaccination programme since 1999.

Uptake of these vaccines is high – in many areas close to 90%. A ‘catch up’ programme of vaccination was introduced for young people aged 15–17 as they were most at risk and initially there was not enough vaccine available for all children. By December 1999 13 million children had been vaccinated and the campaign was hailed as a major success.

The following year young people up to 18 years old were offered the vaccine and it was later extended to everyone under 25 years old.

Meningitis, or meningococcal disease as the professionals refer to it, is a disease only found in humans. It is caused by bacteria, which normally live in our noses and throats, spreading into the bloodstream. Most cases of meningococcal disease occur in children under one year old.

Children with meningococcal disease typically become ill very quickly. Typical signs include headache, fever, drowsiness, stiff neck and a non-blanching rash. Their treatment is always urgent and antibiotics must be administered quickly even before the child is admitted to hospital.

One of the main risks of the infection is septicaemia or ‘blood-poisoning’; most children survive but many have life-long problems such as deafness and amputation resulting from the infection.

The second age group at high risk from meningococcal disease are those aged 15–19 with up to 25% of young people being carriers and it is in this age group that the death rate is highest. The bacteria are spread by coughing, sneezing and close contact, including kissing, and the incubation period is typically between two and ten days.

Since 1996 the Department of Health has provided educational campaigns specifically aimed at university students to help raise awareness in this vulnerable group and over 8 million posters, leaflets and beer mats have been distributed through halls of residence, student union bars and main reception areas.

The recent figures are good news for everyone but the importance of vaccination remains – anyone under 25 who has missed immunisation can request MenC from their GP but if you have had it already then you do not need to be re-vaccinated.