As students prepare to leave home to attend college or university, the risk of meningitis is the last thing on their minds. People generally don’t realize that with dorm living and the close contact behaviour of student life, there comes an increased risk for the potentially fatal disease, meningitis. A few students at Queen’s University last fall learned the hard way about meningitis. Those diagnosed with meningitis needed hospitalization, IV antibiotics, and came close to losing their lives. Luckily there is a vaccine to protect against meningitis called the Bexsero vaccine, but not many people get this vaccine or even know about it. In this blog I’ll tell you more about meningitis and the Bexsero vaccine, and why all students planning to attend college or university should get vaccinated.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord linings. The bacteria Neisseria meningititidis is responsible for causing invasive meningococcal disease in the forms of meningitis or septicemia (infection of the blood).
Invasive meningococcal disease is very serious and potentially life-threatening. About 1 in 20 people may die from meningitis, and 4 in 20 people may die from septicemia. Symptoms usually begin with fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, but then can progress into more severe symptoms. Complications of invasive meningococcal disease can include:
- Brain damage
- Hearing loss
- Loss of limbs
Students Are at Risk
Meningitis is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, kissing, or close contact. It can also be spread through saliva from sharing food, drinks, utensils, cigarettes, lipstick, etc. A person can be a carrier of the meningococcal bacteria without having symptoms or becoming sick, but is still able to spread the bacteria to other people. About 10 to 20 percent of people are carriers of the bacteria. Most people who become sick with meningitis get it from someone who is a healthy carrier of the bacteria. In Canada the risk of meningitis is highest in the winter and spring months, when students are attending school. While it is a rare disease in Canada with around 200 cases per year, adolescents between 15 to 24 years are at an increased risk of the disease. Studies have also shown that the risk can be higher for those who live in crowded conditions; smoke or are exposed to cigarette smoke; or have a current or recent respiratory infection. These conditions often apply to students living in dorms.
Meningitis Vaccines
There are 6 serogroups of the meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis. These are serogroups A, B, C, W, X, and Y. Serogroup B is the most common cause of meningitis in Canada, followed by serogroups W and Y. The introduction of routine vaccination of infants with serogroup C has led to a decrease in cases caused by this serogroup in Canada by 93%.
Vaccines are available in Canada to provide protection against meningitis serogroups, A, B, C, W, and Y. As part BC’s routine vaccination schedule, infants receive 2 doses of the meningitis C vaccine and adolescents in Grade 9 receive a quadrivalent vaccine to protect against 4 strains of meningitis (ACYW). Protection against meningitis B serogroup is not included in BC’s routine vaccine schedule.
The Bexsero Vaccine
The Bexsero vaccine provides protection against meningitis serogroup B. This vaccine was approved for use by Health Canada in 2013. Adolescents require 2 doses of the Bexsero vaccine at least one month apart. The Bexsero vaccines can be completed during your summer break, or before starting college or university.
The Bexsero vaccine is safe and effective. Side effects from the vaccine are usually mild and include pain, redness, tenderness or swelling at the injection site. Fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headache can also occur. These side effects are usually mild and last only 1 to 2 days.
Who Should Get the Bexsero Vaccine?
The Bexsero vaccine is available for purchase to anyone 2 months through 55 years of age who want to be protected against meningitis B. Students living in dorms are at increased risk of exposure to meningitis and should consider getting vaccinated before starting college or university. Some universities even require proof of vaccination. Other people who may be at increased risk for meningitis B and should consider vaccination include:
- Infants and children younger than 5 years of age
- Those without a spleen or a spleen that doesn’t work properly
- Those with immune system disorders including complement, properdin, factor D or primary antibody deficiencies
- Military personnel
- Lab workers routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria
How to Book Your Bexsero Vaccine Appointment
It’s easy to book an appointment for the Bexsero vaccine with a Registered Nurse at TMVC. The Nurse will be able to answer any questions you have related to the Bexsero vaccine. You do not require a prescription to receive the Bexsero vaccine at TMVC. Simply call us at 1-888-288-8682 or book online.
