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New campaign encourages teens to get the Meningitis C vaccine booster

A vaccination campaign gets under way across schools in Medway this term to encourage teenagers to get the Meningitis C vaccine booster and so strengthen their defences against this dangerous infection that can cause meningitis.

The Meningitis C vaccine is now routinely given to babies at three months to provide sufficient protection until a booster dose at the age of 12 months, which protects them in early childhood when they are most vulnerable. There is evidence that a second peak of cases of Meningitis C occurs during the teenage years, as the effectiveness of the childhood vaccine declines so another booster dose has been added to protect children in early adolescence.

By having the Meningitis C booster between the ages of 13 and 15 teenagers can protect themselves, their families and friends from this dangerous disease.

Dr John Rodriguez, Screening and Immunisation Lead, Kent and Medway Area Team said:

“Meningitis is a very serious illness caused by infection around the brain. Meningococcal infection can lead to meningitis or septicaemia (blood poisoning). If not diagnosed early, infection can lead to permanent disability or death.

“The Meningitis C vaccine programme can prevent one of the main causes of meningitis. I strongly advise Year 10 teenagers to protect themselves by having the injection against Meningitis C when offered it by the school nurses.

”However please don’t forget that there are other infections that cause meningitis and septicaemia so everyone should stay vigilant and seek help or advice immediately if worried.”

Amanda Shears, Team Leader for School Health at Medway NHS Foundation Trust said:

“The Medway school nursing teams will be fully supporting this important campaign to encourage teenagers to get the Meningitis C vaccine booster. We will be visiting around 25 schools across Medway and Swale from Thursday 1 May.”

The Meningitis C vaccine programme has proved very effective in cutting down instances of the disease. There were 995 Meningitis C cases between 1998 and 1999, but when Meningitis C became part of the routine immunisations for babies in 1999 cases dramatically reduced year on year, due to a high uptake of the vaccine. Between 2011 and 2012 there were just 29 cases reported. Many of these were in adolescents.