NEW CDC VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS

SEEK TO PROTECT PRETEENS, YOUNG ADOLESCENTS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

National Meningitis Association Urges Parents to Get Preadolescents and Teenagers Immunized; Encourages Providers to Offer Vaccine   

May 26, 2005

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. – The National Meningitis Association (NMA) announced strong support for the newly issued meningococcal disease vaccination recommendations, issued today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which call for routine immunization for preadolescents, teenagers and college-bound students.  The new recommendations were published in the May 27 issue of CDC’s Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

CDC’s new recommendations, developed to help protect adolescents and college students from the devastating effects of meningococcal disease, urge immunization at the preadolescent doctor’s visit (11-12 years old).  They also recommend adolescents who were not previously immunized receive the vaccine at high school entry (at about age 15 years).  College freshmen living in dormitories also should be immunized.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released similar recommendations earlier this week.

Meningococcal disease, a potentially fatal infection, is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, and strikes nearly 3,000 Americans each year.  Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to the disease, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all cases in the U.S.  A recent study found one in four adolescents infected will die, and of those who survive, up to 20 percent will experience permanent disability.

NMA, comprised of parents of children who have died or suffered long-term effects of this disease, applaud the CDC and AAP for issuing the new recommendations and urge parents to get their children immunized.  NMA also encourages health care providers to inform families about meningococcal disease and to offer vaccination.

“NMA is pleased the CDC and AAP have issued these new recommendations, which will help save the lives of children and young adults across the country,” said Lynn Bozof, executive director.  “These recommendations are an important step toward minimizing the threat of meningococcal disease among U.S. adolescents and college students.”

Adolescents and young adults are at an increased risk of contracting meningococcal 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 83 percent of meningococcal disease 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, including not sharing items that touch a person’s mouth, such as cups, utensils and water bottles. 

Meningococcal disease, 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 www.nmaus.org.