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Still on meningitis
I understand how you feel if you either live in the meningitis belt of Africa or you're travelling to Africa very soon.Meningitis happened to be a vaccine preventable disease that we are unprepared for this time around.
The issue this time is that there's a new strain, in simple terms, a relation of the usual type of the common meningitis bacteria that we have been used to, but we are not even prepared for this.
To cut a long story short, I'll like to tell you more about meningitis vaccine. Everybody in Nigeria needs a shot in my opinion because you may never know when you will have to travel to an endemic area. That might be difficult but people in meningitis affected states should at least get a shot of the vaccine first.
Things you need to know about meningitis vaccine:
what is a vaccine:
A kind of medicine which helps your body fight off foreign diseases causing organisms. Usually, an injection but could also be taken through the mouth. So, now you know the truth.
The meningitis vaccine protects you from the bacteria that cause meningitis.
who should get the vaccine:
CDC recommends meningococcal vaccination for all according to age. In certain situations, children and adults should also get meningococcal vaccines. It is also recommended in teens and pre-teens. People in an endemic region should always be vaccinated and should remember to get a booster dose after every 3 to 5 years.
Talk to your doctor to know if you should or should not get vaccinated with a meningitis vaccine.
Babies from 2 months to 10 years old can take the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra®, Menveo®, or MenHibrix®) (don't mind the funny names, they were not made in Africa..lolz)
- Menactra (minimum age 9 months) or for protection against serogroups A and W meningococcal disease. what about serogroup c? Just read along
- MenHibrix: This one protects against meningitis caused by serogroups c and y, but it also protects against tetanus and another bacteria known as HIB. It can be taken by children from age 6 weeks.
- Menveo, MenACWY are other types of meningitis vaccine that protect against serogroup c bacteria and other serogroups. it can be used in children from age 2-23 months.
Are you bored already with names?
Please try not to be. You know Doctors. nurses and pharmacist went to school to learn all these funny names and now come and spend their life helping people to have a better health. (You are actually helping your communication with your doctor if you learn some of these funny names.)
What you need to do:
Put a call through to, or visit your doctor and be sure to ask about meningitis vaccine availability and be specific to ask for the vaccine which contains type C (because you are now educated)
Are you worried about side effects?
side effects occur but very rarely and most of them are the unexpected ones. The vaccines are safe because they have been tested and approved by relevant agencies.
Availability of vaccines:
It depends on your country and your location in the country. You may need to call your hospital or an immunization centre to find out the state of their stock.
Cost:
Well, please I advise you to get a health insurance plan that covers vaccination. otherwise, I'm afraid you might have to pay for it if you're not a child.
Thanks for sharing. This is very enlightening.
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