A New Way to Protect Your Kids from Meningococcal Disease

June, 2005

Did you know that meningococcal disease affects more than 2,600 people each year? Meningococcal disease is a leading cause of meningitis (infection around the brain and spinal cord) in children between 2 and 18 years old in the United States.

“This is a very serious disease,” said Harry Wander, M.D., pediatrician at Sutter North Medical Foundation. "Amputation, seizures and death are all possible without a vaccination or early treatment.”

Typical symptoms for meningococcal meningitis include a headache and stiff neck, but it can sometimes be mistaken for the flu, and progress to organ failure and tissue damage requiring amputation without early treatment.

This disease is so devastating because, until recently, the vaccine used was short-term and could not be boosted. Menactra, a new longer-lasting vaccine, has recently been licensed to protect against three of the four types of meningococcal disease, including two of the three most common types. Since Menactra is a conjugated vaccine it should last for 8 – 10 years, have the ability of being boosted; and in addition it is also better at preventing the disease from being transmitted person to person.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the vaccine be given to all children at 11 to 12 years of age. It can be given at the same time as their 11 year-old tetanus-diphtheria booster or any other immunization. They also recommend it for college freshmen living in dormitories, another high-risk group. It can be given to other adolescents who want to decrease their risk of disease as a “catch-up” immunization.

“I believe, as do many other pediatricians, that it should be given to all teenagers and college students," said Harry Wander, M.D., pediatrician at Sutter North. “It is covered by most insurance companies on the same basis as they cover other vaccines and by the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program.”

The Menactra vaccine is available in Sutter North’s Pediatrics, Family Practice and Internal Medicine Departments.

Sutter North's Pediatrics department is located at 1215 Plumas Street and 480 Plumas Blvd., in Yuba City. To choose your Sutter North Pediatrician call Sutter North's New Patient Coordinator at 1-877-SNMF-DOC.
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