Skipping vaccines? Think again

Meningitis killed one child and sickened four others in Minnesota last year, the most cases of invasive Haemophilus influenza type b, or Hib, infections in that state since 1992, according to a report today from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A vaccine to protect against this type of bacterial meningitis has been available since 1992, but only one of the five children had received the primary series of Hib inoculations.

A primary series consists of vaccinations at 2, 4 and 6 months. A routine booster is recommended at 12 to 15 months.

The children were age 3 months to 5 years. Three of them had not received vaccinations because their parents refused or delayed the shots out of worries about side effects. One -- a 5-month-old -- was too young to have completed the series, and a fifth case occurred in a child who had a condition that weakened immunity, the CDC report said.

Public health officials already are worried about a nationwide shortage of the vaccine that has been ongoing since 2007, when one of the two pharmaceutical companies that make it recalled its vaccines because of equipment sterilization problems. But none of the children skipped vaccinations because of the shortage, and the Minnesota Department of Health said that there is an adequate supply to provide the primary series to all children. The shortage is expected to be alleviated by the middle of this year.

Hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years old before the development of the vaccine. Since then, illnesses have fallen from 41 cases per 100,000 young children in 1987 to less than 1 case per 100,000 in 2007, according to the CDC. Parental concerns about possible side effects from vaccines have grown as the illnesses prevented by the vaccines have fallen. Public health officials hope that it doesn't take a rise in meningitis cases to remind parents of the benefits of life-saving vaccines.

-- Mary Engel

Comments

[Mary]

And how many children died FROM vaccines. That's a little known fact that you drug pushing people don't want to admit to.

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and reporting records multiple vaccine related deaths every year.

Two great books to read:

Poisoned Profits: the toxic assault on our children (not anti vaccine)

and

The Virus and the Vaccine (this will really get you started)

Also

Vaccinations: A thoughtful parent's guide

Also

vacinfo.org

Educate before you vaccinate.

[MUSAorg]

The Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA), a national organization, would like the public and media to know that information is available regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of meningitis. MFA was founded by parents whose children were affected by meningitis. In addition to supporting vaccines and other means of preventing meningitis, the MFA provides information to educate the public and medical professionals so that the early diagnosis, treatment and, most important, prevention of meningitis, will save lives. Meningitis is a dangerous and sometimes fatal inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord that can leave survivors with serious life-long physical problems such as deafness, brain damage and other disabilities, meningitis can sometimes result in loss of limbs. MFA would like to be considered as a news resource for the disease. For further information, visit the MFA website at www.musa.org.

MFA is proud to announce the new C.I.S.S. Container Identification Scratch System
When we participate in sporting events or mingle at social gatherings it is possible to lose track of our water bottles and/or beverage cans, especially those served in containers that are very similar or identical to a container from which you are drinking. This carries the risk of transmitting an illness, such as meningitis or the common cold or flu. The Container Identification Scratch System, or C.I.S.S., is a fun way to make sure you always know your drink from others. Use it at sporting events or at family gatherings and reduce the waste from forgotten drinks. Simply scratch your number from the C.I.S.S. label and identify your drink. For more information please contact Bob Gold at Ciss.bob@gmail.com and www.musa.org

Thank you,

Meningitis Foundation of America
P O Box 83602
Phoenix, AZ 85071
480.270.2652
www.musa.org