Overview
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Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is caused by the meningococcus bacterium. Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia can include fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting, and cold hands and feet.
Claire Wright, senior insights manager at Meningitis Research Foundation, said that people aged between 15 and 24 are at "particularly high risk" of meningococcal disease due to high levels of social interaction and close living conditions, such as university halls of residence.
In the summer of 2022, a 19-year-old woman who had unknowingly contracted meningococcal type B meningitis tragically died in her sleep. The MenB vaccine, which is the only protection against type B meningococcal bacteria responsible for 90% of meningitis cases in the UK, is currently only available to children.
Acip Meeting
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet on June 25 to discuss vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, flu, meningococcal disease, RSV, and other illnesses.
Conclusion
Despite the risks, the MenB vaccine remains limited to children, leaving young adults vulnerable to the disease.