More than half of adolescents 13 to 17 years of age have not been vaccinated against meningococcal disease, a rare but serious disease that can cause meningitis and take the life of a child in just a single day. In a recent Ipsos national survey, the majority of mothers with children in this age group had not vaccinated their children because they were not fully aware of the need for vaccination. However, once they were informed of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendation to vaccinate preteens and teens 11 to 18 years of age, nearly 90 percent said they were now likely to vaccinate their children.
The National Association of School Nurses' (NASN) Voices of Meningitis campaign is encouraging families to add meningococcal vaccination to their back-to-school checklists. Voices of Meningitis is a public education initiative that brings together school nurses, parents, survivors of the disease and public health officials to share their experiences to help educate families with preteen and teenage children about the dangers of meningitis and importance of vaccination.
"As a school nurse and a mom myself, I am committed to keeping children healthy and ready to learn," said Sandi Delack, RN, MEd, NCSN, president of the NASN and a school nurse for more than 20 years. "With another school year upon us, I have joined the NASN's Voices of Meningitis program to call on all parents to have their children vaccinated against this potentially deadly disease. Every health-care visit, including back-to-school check-ups, is an opportunity to have your child vaccinated against meningitis."
Preteens and teens are at a greater risk for getting meningitis and death rates from meningitis are up to five times higher among teens and young adults compared with other age groups. Everyday activities such as prolonged close contact among large groups of adolescents, sharing drinking glasses and kissing, can increase the risk for getting the disease.
Meningitis can be Devastating
Although rare, meningitis can kill or disable an otherwise healthy young person in just a single day. Of those who survive, one in five is left with serious medical problems, including amputation of limbs, brain damage, deafness and organ damage.
Olga Pasick lost her son, David, to meningococcal meningitis when he was 13 years of age, shortly after he started a new school year.
"David was a typical, outgoing and healthy teen. But one night in September, he had a high fever and was vomiting throughout the night," said Olga. "The next morning, my husband and I took David to the pediatrician, who sent him straight to the emergency room. Our son died within hours. It was only after his death that I learned vaccination may have saved his life," said Olga.
"If David had been vaccinated, he might still be here today. No parent should have to bury their child," said Olga. "I hope other families will learn from our story and have their children vaccinated before sending them back to school."
Parents can Help Protect their Children by Getting them Vaccinated
Vaccination against meningococcal disease has been recommended for years and is a safe and effective way to help protect against this disease. The CDC first recommended immunization of adolescents in 2005.
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