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Raise Your Voice Prevent Meningococcal Meningitis

[Insert Affiliation][Insert Presenter]

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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 meningitidis2

• Five strains (A, B, C, Y, and W-135) cause most cases in the U.S.2

• Affects 1,000-2,600 Americans each year1

—10% who get the disease will die1

—1 out of 5 survivors left with serious medical problems such as limb amputations, brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss1,3

—Disease moves quickly – can cause death or disability in just a single day4

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mening.pdf. Accessed April 9, 2010. 2. 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, 2008. 3. National Meningitis Association. Overview. http://www.nmaus.org/meningitis/. Accessed April 9, 2010 . 4. Erickson LJ, De Wals P, McMahon J, Heim S. Complications of meningococcal disease in college students. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33:737-739.

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Preteens and Teens Are At Greater Risk1

• Anyone can get meningitis, but preteens and teens are at greater risk2 — When infected, teens are up to 5 times more likely to die than other age

groups1

• Common everyday activities put even healthy kids at greater risk3-5

— 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):694-699. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mening.pdf. Accessed April 9, 2010. 3. Granoff DM, Harrison LH, Borrow R. Meningococcal vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, eds. Vaccines. 5th edition. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Inc; 2008:399-435. 4. National Meningitis Association. How is it Spread?. http://www.nmaus.org/meningitis/how-is-it-spread.htm. Accessed April 9, 2010. 5. Erickson LJ, De Wals P, McMahon J, Heim S. Complications of meningococcal disease in college students. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33:737-739.

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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 bacteria1-2 —Some people carry the bacteria in their nose and throat, but

never become sick1

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Factsheet: meningococcal diseases and meningococcal vaccines. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mening/vac-mening-fs.htm. Accessed April 9, 2010. 2. National Meningitis Association. How is it Spread?. http://www.nmaus.org/meningitis/how-is-it-spread.htm. Accessed April 9, 2010.

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Symptoms of Meningococcal Meningitis1-2

• Disease can be hard to recognize, especially in early stages, because symptoms 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; 2008:399-435. 2. National Meningitis Association. Symptoms. http://www.nmaus.org/meningitis/symptoms.htm. Accessed April 9, 2010.

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Treating Meningococcal Meningitis

• A person with meningitis needs immediate emergency care—Antibiotics are given to treat the infection1

• Even with prompt medical treatment meningitis can kill an otherwise healthy young person in just a single day1-2

• That’s why preventing meningococcal disease is critical

References:1. Rosenstein NE, et al. Meningococcal disease. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(18):1378. 2. Erickson LJ, De Wals P, McMahon J, Heim S. Complications of meningococcal disease in college students. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33:737-739.

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Vaccination – The Best Protection1

• Vaccination is safe and effective and the best way to help protect against meningococcal meningitis1

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other leading public health officials recommend vaccination for:2-

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—Preteens and teens 11 through 18 years of age

—College freshmen living in dormitories

—Children 2 through 10 years of age who are at increased risk or if elected by their health-care provider or parents

• Avoid behaviors that may spread the disease4

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mening.pdf. Accessed April 9, 2010. 2. CDC. Notice to readers: revised recommendations of the ACIP to vaccinate all persons aged 11-18 years with meningococcal conjugate vaccine. MMWR. 2007;56(31):794-795. 3. CDC. Notice to readers: recommendation from the ACIP for use of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) in children aged 2-10 years at increased risk for invasive meningococcal disease. MMWR. 2007;56(48):1265-1266. 4. National Meningitis Association. How is it Spread?. http://www.nmaus.org/meningitis/how-is-it-spread.htm. Accessed April 9, 2010.

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Vaccination – The Best Protection1

• 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. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mening.pdf. Accessed April 9, 2010.

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Vaccination – The Best Protection1

• Any health-care visit is an opportunity to ask about meningococcal vaccination1-2

—Routine visits—Sports physical—Pre-adolescent health-care visits—Annual back-to-school check ups—Acne visits—Pre-college physicals —Sick visits for minor illnesses

References:1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notice to readers: revised recommendations of the ACIP to vaccinate all persons aged 11-18 years with meningococcal conjugate vaccine. MMWR. 2007;56(31):794-795. 2. CDC. Meningococcal vaccines: what you need to know. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mening.pdf. Accessed April 9, 2010.

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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

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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!

www.VoicesOfMeningitis.org

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Raise Your Voice Against Meningitis

Talk to your child’s health-care provider to schedule a vaccination

appointment today!

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Questions