IDPH
moves to eliminate Meningococcal Meningitis
New vaccination requirements for
adolescents
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[May 14, 2015]
SPRINGFIELD
– Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav D.
Shah, M.D., J.D., is urging parents to talk with their child’s
doctor about the new school-entrance vaccination requirements, which
include meningococcal conjugate vaccination (MCV). In observance of
National Infant Immunization Week, April 18-23, IDPH plans to raise
awareness of the value of timely vaccinations for infants, as well
as for residents across the lifespan.
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Beginning next school year, all students entering
the sixth and twelfth grades will be required to show proof of
recent MCV in order to prevent all students from acquiring this
potentially fatal disease. Although disease incidence is at historic
lows, the overall case-fatality rate remains between 10 to 15
percent, with between 11 to 19 percent of survivors experiencing
long-term sequelae such as neurologic disability, limb or digit
loss, and hearing loss.
“Keeping up to date with recommended immunizations is the best
defense against meningococcal disease. In order to continue seeing
declining rates of infection, we must maintain and improve existing
prevention efforts,” said Director Shah. “Between 2005-2011, there
were around 1000 cases nationally. We can and will do better by
tightening reporting requirements around vaccines for school-aged
adolescents.”
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection. It occurs commonly
in two forms: inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and
spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis) or a severe blood infection
(meningococcemia). Transmission from person to person occurs through
direct contact with nose and throat secretions. An infected person
can transmit the disease by coughing or sneezing directly into the
face of others, kissing a person on the mouth, or sharing a glass or
cup.
Illinois is implementing these new MCV requirements to help prevent
illness and outbreaks due to vaccine-preventable diseases.
Currently, approximately 79% of Illinois teens 13-17 years of age
have been vaccinated with at least 1-dose of meningococcal vaccine.
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Beginning Fall 2015, all sixth graders will be required to show proof of one
dose of MCV and all twelfth graders will need to show proof of receiving two
doses, unless the first dose was administered after 16 years of age. In this
case, only one dose after 16 years of age is required.
Other vaccines required for school entrance include diphtheria, pertussis,
tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenza type b, hepatitis
b, varicella and pneumococcal (depending on age) vaccinations. More information
about immunizations is available on the IDPH website.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health]
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