Source: Waikato District Health Board
Northland DHB currently has a targeted meningococcal vaccination programme underway after an outbreak of meningococcal disease (type W). They are offering vaccination to children under 5 and to those aged 13 to under 20 years old. These are the groups that are most at risk from the disease, and those most likely to carry the disease and infect others.
As a result, vaccinating these age groups will help protect them from getting meningococcal disease, and will also help stop the spread of the disease across the entire community. The vaccine cannot be given to babies under 9 months of age.
In the Waikato region, we do not have a meningococcal disease outbreak and we have not had any confirmed cases of the type W meningococcal disease this year, the type that caused the outbreak in Northland
Waikato DHB’s medical officer of health Dr Richard Wall says “Our Public Health Unit monitors the situation closely and there has been no increase in meningococcal cases in the Waikato region over the last two years. However we have had 8 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease this year, with the most recent being reported in October. In light of this we ask that all whānau understand what meningococcal disease is and know the signs and symptoms”.
In the Waikato there is no change to our usual meningococcal vaccination recommendations and a targeted vaccination programme like that in Northland has not been recommended.
We are aware that there have been concerns expressed on social media recently about catching #meningococcal disease (#meningitis) from attending large events.
Unlike some diseases, the risk of catching meningococcal disease from attending an event is low, even if there was an infectious person there at the same time.
You need close contact with an infectious person (such as living in the same household or close kissing) to be considered at risk. The bacteria which cause meningitis/meningococcal disease is quite common however, and many people carry the bug without ever getting sick themselves. They can still pass it on to others, so it is important to always be on the alert for symptoms in your whānau and:
- See a doctor urgently if you are concerned
- Or call Healthline free on 0800 611 116 any hour of the day or night.
Key points about meningococcal disease:
1. Meningococcal disease can lead to serious infections including meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
2. Common symptoms of meningococcal disease include sudden fever, a high fever, headache, sleepiness, joint and muscle pains. If you have these symptoms, you need to seek medical attention urgently.
3. Those most at risk are babies and young children under 5 years, teenagers and young adults, people with weakened immune systems, people living in shared accommodation such as halls of residence (university), boarding school and hostels, and those living in overcrowded housing.
4. Meningococcal disease is treated with antibiotics. It cannot be treated at home – it’s important to seek medical help immediately
5. Vaccination against meningococcal disease protects against most, but not all types of meningococcal disease. Meningococcal vaccines are not free, except for those with impaired immune systems and close contacts of recent cases. Suppliers have reported high demand in recent weeks and there have been local vaccine shortages due to an international shortage of vaccines. Talk to your doctor or nurse about what vaccines are available and the cost of being vaccinated.
For more information visit:
Visit the Northland DHB webpage for more about their Meningococcal W vaccination programme.