Oklahoma City-County Health Department pushes bacterial meningitis vaccine
Let’s think of something horrible: bacterial meningitis. Yeah, let’s not mess with that. Here’s some information from the Oklahoma City-County Health Department about the importance of the vaccine, especially for teens.
As children head off to summer camp, the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) is reminding parents that it’s a good time to make sure that teenagers are up-to-date on vaccinations against bacterial meningitis.
While cases of bacterial meningitis are rare, they can be life threatening. Even if treated, about one in ten people who develop bacterial meningitis will die from it. Also known as meningococcal disease, the infection can result in brain damage, hearing loss and learning problems. In some cases, the disease leads to the loss of an arm, a leg or other parts of the body.
“Meningococcal disease is dangerous and can become very serious, very quickly,” says Oklahoma County Immunization Coalition Director Sandy Crawford. “We have an effective vaccine that prevents the disease and we’re urging all parents to make sure that their teenagers are protected.”
The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease can spread when individuals have close or lengthy contact with someone’s saliva through kissing or coughing, or by being in direct contact with the respiratory fluids
of someone who is infected. Risky activities include sharing water bottles, food items, cigarettes, lipstick, lip balm, mouth guard, or anything an infected person touches with his or her nose or mouth.
Teens and young adults are at higher risk for meningococcal disease. The MCV4 meningococcal vaccine offers protection against bacteria that cause four types of meningococcal disease. Preteens should get the first MCV4 shot when they are 11 or 12 years old.
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