Meningitis Immunizations Now Available
• Cost $110 at Nutley Public Affairs Dept.
Jun 4, 2012 – With many of Nutley residents gearing up for college, Commissioner Steven L. Rogers announces that the Health Department is now offering meningitis immunizations Mondays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 to 3. The cost is $110.
"I am urging residents to carefully review the information put forth in this news release regarding the meningococcal meningitis and the vaccine," stated Rogers said.
Meningococcal meningitis, a form of bacterial meningitis, can cause severe swelling of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord or a serious blood infection. It is spread through air droplets and by direct contact with an infected person (i.e., coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing a drinking glass, etc.).
Symptoms can resemble the flu, and the disease can progress quickly. One in 10 cases is fatal, and of those who survive, about 20 percent suffer long-term effects. It can worsen very rapidly and be fatal within 48 hours. There are approximately 3000 cases of meningococcal meningitis in the U.S. each year, with an estimated 400 deaths.
Adolescents and young adults are at increased risk between ages 15 and 24 years. Freshmen living in college dormitories have higher incidence compared to other persons in the same age group. As many as 83 percent of all cases of meningococcal meningitis in college students are vaccine preventable.
The vaccine is effective in preventing bacteria meningitis. It is mandated in New Jersey for 11 year olds entering 6th grade and is recommended for adolescents entering high school and college-bound freshman living in dorms. Many states have made this vaccine mandatory prior to college entrance.
Recommendations include:
- Routine vaccination of adolescents age 11-12 years, plus a booster dose at 16 years
- Middle school students, college entrants especially college freshmen, military recruits
- Routine vaccination of healthy persons not at risk of exposure is not recommended after age 21.
- Household or contacts of persons with meningococcal disease
- All high risk persons: Adults who are exposed to N. meningitis by occupation, travelers to infected areas of the world
Additonal information available at web sites: www.cdc.gov, www.acha.org and www.aap.org. for further disease information.
Nutley residents in need of a specific appointment time may contact the Department of Public Affairs at 973-284-4900 ext 2410. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the appointment. The Nutley Health Dept. also asks that copies of an individuals immunization records also be presented when scheduling the inoculations.
