Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Meningococcal disease is a very serious disease that can lead to brain infection (meningitis) or blood infection (septicemia). Symptoms of meningitis include fever, change in behaviour, loss of appetite, vomiting, sore muscles and joints, and stiff neck. Some people have seizures, convulsions or skin rashes. Those who have blood infections may suffer from fever, headaches, body aches, and red spotted skin rashes. The meningococcal bacteria can be found in the nose or throat of healthy children, teenagers and adults. You become infected from direct contact with an infected person. Individuals at risk of meningococcal infection include those: with functional or anatomic asplenia (including sickle cell disease), with certain genetic risk factors, exposed to an infected person, with a respiratory tract infection, with a recent influenza infection, living in crowded housing,  with HIV.

Check out our resources on meningococcal immunization and share with your network!