Meningitis vaccine: What you need to know about Type B
Are you or a loved one in college or living in close living quarters with others? Do you know someone who has developed meningococcal meningitis? Meningitis B has been the culprit for multiple outbreaks on college campuses across the U.S. As a result, numerous schools are now requiring the meningitis vaccine with both vaccine series for adolescents and young adults.
What is meningococcal meningitis?
- A disease that involves inflammation and infection of the brain and spinal cord that is caused by a bacteria Neisseria meningitidis
- There are 12 types or "serogroups" of N. meningitidis, the more common are: A, B, C, Y, W, (B, C, and Y are the most common types).
- Symptoms include headache, fever, stiff neck, nausea, light sensitivity, and confusion.
- Meningitis is fatal for 10-15% of all cases and leaves 10-20% with lifelong consequences such as amputation, hearing loss, or brain damage.
Why get the meningitis vaccine?
- Protect your life by preventing infection
- Prevent transmission to loved ones and community members at risk of infection
- High-risk individuals include infants younger than one year, individuals 16-23 years of age, and the immune compromised.
- Prevent further outbreaks in the U.S.
Many schools are now requiring vaccination of 16-18-year-olds with the serogroup B meningitis vaccine in addition to previously required meningitis vaccines (covering serogroups A, C, W, and Y). The additional coverage of this meningococcal strain is significant to protect our loved ones from contracting the life-threatening infection. Be sure to talk with your primary care provider to discuss the meningitis B vaccine especially for college students and military members.
For more information, visit the CDC website. Don't have a primary care provider? Let us help.