Q: Last year you wrote an article about a vaccine students should get before going to university. My oldest is attending first year university in September and my youngest is starting Grade 10. How long does the vaccine last? Would it be too early to get my youngest vaccinated at the same time?
The vaccine you’re referring to helps protect against a rare but potentially life-threatening bacterial infection called invasive meningococcal group B disease, commonly referred to as Meningitis B. This infection can cause serious complications including meningitis, which is inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord, as well as septicemia, or blood poisoning. Meningitis B can progress rapidly; within just 24 to 48 hours of symptom onset, about 1 in 10 cases can be fatal. Among those who survive, 1 in 5 may suffer from long-term effects such as hearing loss, neurological issues, brain damage or limb amputations.
Age plays a significant role in determining your risk of infection. The highest rates are seen in infants under one year old, followed by children aged one to four, adolescents aged 15 to19, and young adults aged 20 to 24. The reason there is a push to vaccinate university students is because there is an increased risk of infection for those living in crowded environments such as university dormitories or military barracks.
At any given time, about 10 per cent of adolescents and young adults carry the bacteria responsible for Meningitis B in the back of their nose and throat. These individuals are known as carriers and although they may never show symptoms, they can still spread the bacteria to others for up to six months. Most infections occur after contact with a healthy carrier rather than someone who appears ill.
Meningitis B spreads easily through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, as well as through kissing or sharing personal items that come into contact with saliva, such as beverage containers, vape pens, lip gloss, utensils, or even toys among young children. Early symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from the flu, but the infection worsens quickly. Warning signs include a sudden high fever, severe headache (which may present as irritability in young children), nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, extreme fatigue, a stiff or sore neck, and a reddish or purplish rash. Because meningitis B progresses so rapidly, it’s critical to seek emergency medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.
In Canada, there are five main serotypes responsible for most meningococcal infections: A, B, C, Y and W135. The publicly funded vaccine schedule in New Brunswick includes a vaccine to protect against serotype C at 12 months of age and against serotypes A, C, Y and W135 in Grade 9. The vaccine to protect against Meningitis B is not part of the routine childhood immunization schedule in our province, and the other vaccines do not offer any protection against serotype B.
It’s not too early to vaccinate your child entering grade 10. Vaccination with the Bexsero vaccine can begin as early as two months of age, but immunity decreases over time, so booster doses are needed. If a child is vaccinated before age six, boosters are required every three to five years. If vaccinated at age seven or older, boosters are needed every five years.
If your children are being vaccinated against meningitis B for the first time, they will need two doses given at least 28 days apart. For your child entering university, you may also want to consider a single booster dose to strengthen their protection against serotypes A, C, Y and W135. Common vaccine side effects, experienced by more than one in 10 people include temporary pain, redness, swelling or firmness at the injection site.
You can have these vaccines prescribed and administered by your doctor, nurse practitioner, or community pharmacist. For non-publicly funded vaccines such as Bexsero, service fees apply when vaccine assessments and injections are provided at the pharmacy. If you have a Health Spending Account through your private insurance plan, you may be able to submit your official receipts for reimbursement.
Erin Thompson (BSc, BScPharm) is a graduate of Dalhousie University and a community pharmacist practicing at Shoppers Drug Mart in Quispamsis N.B. Her opinions expressed in this column are published for educational and informational purposes only, and are not intended as a diagnosis, treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.