Local Health Department offering Bexsero vaccine for Meningococcal disease for young adults ages 16-23

[June 14, 2016]  LINCOLN - The Logan County Department of public health is now offering a new vaccine (bexsero) used to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.

Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening illness caused by bacteria that can infect the bloodstream (sepsis) and the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). N. meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis.

The bacteria are transmitted from person to person through respiratory or throat secretions (e.g., by coughing, kissing or sharing eating utensils). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 500 total cases of meningococcal disease were reported in the U.S. in 2012, of which 160 were caused by serogroup B.

The Health Department is offering the vaccine to young adults ages 16-23. This is a 2 shot series with 4 weeks in between shots. This vaccine will need to be ordered, so please call 217-735-2317 to have an order placed for you today. The department is open Monday thru Thursday 7:30-4:00.

[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP, Public Health Administrator, Logan County Department of Public Health]