11 Raise Your Voice Prevent Meningococcal Meningitis [Insert School Name] [Insert Presenter] MKT R

2 What is Meningococcal Disease? Serious bacterial infection that can cause swelling of brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or blood infection (sepsis) 1,2 Caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis 2 Five strains (A, B, C, Y, and W-135) cause most cases in the US 2 Affects 1,000-2,600 Americans each year 1 —10% who get the disease will die 1 —1 out of 5 survivors left with serious medical problems such as limb amputations, brain damage, kidney damage, and/or hearing loss 1,3 —Disease moves quickly – can cause death or disability in just a single day 4 References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. Accessed March 4, CDC. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Atkinson W, Hamborsky J, McIntyre L, Wolfe S, eds. 10th ed. Washington, D.C.: Public Health Foundation, National Meningitis Association. Overview. Accessed March 4, Erickson LJ, De Wals P, McMahon J, Heim S. Complications of meningococcal disease in college students. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33:

3 Preteens and Teens Are At Greater Risk 1 Anyone can get meningitis, but preteens and teens are at greater risk 2 —When infected, teens are up to 5 times more likely to die than younger age groups 1 Common everyday activities put even healthy kids at greater risk 3-5 —Sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, or anything that touches the mouth —Being in crowded situations for long periods of time —Living in close quarters like dormitories or overnight camp —Kissing —Not getting enough sleep —Smoking (or being exposed to smoke) References: 1. Harrison LH, Pass MA, Mendelsohn AB, et al. Invasive meningococcal disease in adolescents and young adults. JAMA. 2001;286(6): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. Accessed March 4, Granoff DM, Harrison LH, Borrow R. Meningococcal vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, eds. Vaccines. 5th edition. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Inc; 2008: National Meningitis Association. How is it spread?. Accessed March 4, Erickson LJ, De Wals P, McMahon J, Heim S. Complications of meningococcal disease in college students. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33:

4 How A Person Can Catch Meningitis Spread through air droplets (coughing, sneezing) or close, personal contact with someone sick with the disease or carrying the bacteria 1-2 —Some people carry the bacteria in their nose and throat, but never become sick 1 References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Factsheet: meningococcal diseases and meningococcal vaccines. Accessed March 4, National Meningitis Association. How is it spread?. Accessed March 4, 2011.

5 Symptoms of Meningococcal Meningitis 1-2 Disease can be hard to recognize, especially in early stages, because the symptoms may be similar to flu-like symptoms —High fever —Severe headache —Stiff neck —Confusion —Vomiting —Exhaustion —Rash References: 1. Granoff DM, Harrison LH, Borrow R. Meningococcal vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, eds. Vaccines. 5th edition. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Inc; 2008: National Meningitis Association. Symptoms. Accessed March 4, 2011.

6 Treating Meningococcal Meningitis A person with meningitis needs immediate emergency care —Antibiotics are given to treat the infection 1 Even with prompt medical treatment meningitis can kill an otherwise healthy young person in just a single day 1-2 That’s why preventing meningococcal disease is critical References: 1. Rosenstein NE, et al. Meningococcal disease. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(18): Erickson LJ, De Wals P, McMahon J, Heim S. Complications of meningococcal disease in college students. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33:

7 Vaccination – The Best Protection 1 Vaccination is safe and effective and the best way to help protect against meningococcal meningitis 1 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and leading public health officials recommend vaccination for preteens and teens 2 Avoid behaviors that may spread the disease 3 References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. Accessed March 4, CDC. Updated recommendations for use of meningococcal conjugate vaccines — Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), MMWR. 2011;60(3): National Meningitis Association. How is it spread?. Accessed March 4, 2011.

8 Vaccination – The Best Protection 1 Meningococcal vaccination is covered by most insurance plans Parents can contact their local public health department to determine if their child is eligible to receive the vaccine free of charge through programs like the Vaccines for Children Program References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. Accessed March 4, 2011.

9 Vaccination – The Best Protection 1 Any health-care visit is an opportunity to ask about meningococcal vaccination 1 —Routine visits —Sports physical —Pre-adolescent health-care visits —Annual back-to-school check ups —Acne visits —Sick visits for minor illnesses References: 1. CDC. Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. Accessed March 4, 2011.

10 Voices of Meningitis “My son David was just 13-years-old when meningitis tragically took his life.” — Olga Pasick, NJ “I lost my legs, kidney, spleen, half my hearing and almost my life to meningitis – and I’m one of the lucky ones.” — Amy Purdy, NV “Our daughter Becky started feeling sick on Tuesday and by Wednesday she was gone.” — Bob and Dee Dee Werner, WI “My son Tyler lost his feet and fingers to meningitis – a disease I knew nothing about” — Shara Johnson, CO

11 Voices of Meningitis Web site Hear stories of families personally affected by meningococcal meningitis Complimentary educational materials about the disease and vaccination —Fact sheet —Brochure —Public Service Announcements Share information with friends and family members!

12 Raise Your Voice Against Meningitis Talk to your child’s health-care provider to schedule a vaccination appointment today!

13 Questions