Summary
- Health authorities are urging families in the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area and Cape York to take up the free Meningococcal B vaccination for their children after an outbreak in Cairns.
- There have been three confirmed cases of Meningococcal in Yarrabah and Cairns within the past month.
Health authorities are urging families in the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area and Cape York to take up the free Meningococcal B vaccination for their children after an outbreak in Cairns.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Public Medical Officer Dr Allison Hempenstall said Meningococcal disease is a serious and sometimes fatal illness that can potentially be prevented through vaccination.
She said it was spread via droplets from the nose or throat during coughing and sneezing or close and prolonged contact.
There have been three confirmed cases of Meningococcal in Yarrabah and Cairns within the past month.
“We offer Meningococcal B vaccinations for children aged two months, four months and 12 months of age and adolescents between 15-19 years,” Dr Hempenstall said.
“Currently 87 per cent of children under two within the TCHHS region has received at least one dose of the MenB vaccine, but only 18 per cent of eligible teenagers have had their first dose.
“The MenB vaccine is effective in protecting young children and teenagers. It offers protection during the peak risk periods and likely provides protection for at least two years.
“I strongly encourage all parents and carers with eligible children to get their kids vaccinated against all vaccine-preventable strains of meningococcal: A, B, C, W and Y.
“Young children also receive vaccinations for the A, C, W and Y strains as part of the National Immunisation Program schedule.
“Children’s vaccine records can be checked to ensure that have received the recommendation vaccines for both A, C, W Y strains and the newer MenB vaccine.”
Dr Hempenstall said children who have had their first dose of MenB before 12 months of age need three doses, eight weeks apart and children and adolescents who have had their first dose over 12 months of age only need two doses, eight weeks apart.
The symptoms of Meningococcal disease included high fever, severe headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, joint pain, drowsiness, and a rash that emerges and spreads rapidly.
The rash initially looks like very small bruises just under the surface of the skin.
Background – not for attribution:
There are 13 known meningococcal serogroups, but serogroups A, B, C, W and Y are the most common causes of disease.
The bacteria that cause IMD are carried in the nose and throat of many people, but only a small percentage develop the disease.
The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Program. Queensland rolled out the MenB Vaccination program this year, making it available to eligible infants and children under two, and adolescents.
More information about meningococcal disease, including symptoms across the different age groups.
Case data for meningococcal, including year-to-date and annual comparisons, can be found on the notifiable conditions annual reporting website.