Q: My son is heading into his second year of university and will be living on campus again. This summer I heard about a meningitis vaccine that is recommended for students. Since he didn’t get it last year, is there still a benefit to getting it this year?
Absolutely. While it’s ideal to receive the vaccine before moving into residence, there is still benefit to being vaccinated before returning for second year. As long as your son continues to live in a residence or other shared housing where he has close contact with large numbers of students, his risk remains higher than that of the general population.
The vaccine you’re referring to is Bexsero, which protects against invasive meningococcal group B disease, often called meningitis B. Although this infection is rare, it can be devastating. It can cause meningitis, an infection of the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord, as well as septicemia, a serious blood stream infection. The illness can progress rapidly, becoming life-threatening within 24 to 48 hours. Even with prompt medical treatment, about 1 in 10 people with invasive meningococcal disease will die, and up to 1 in 5 survivors will be left with permanent complications such as hearing loss, neurological damage or limb amputations.
Adolescents and young adults are among the groups at highest risk, particularly those living in close quarters such as university residences or military barracks. At any given time, about 1 in 10 teenagers and young adults carry the bacteria in the back of their nose or throat without feeling sick. These healthy carriers can unknowingly spread the bacteria to others through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, as well as through activities that involve sharing saliva, such as kissing or sharing drinks, utensils, vape devices or lip balm. Most infections occur after contact with a healthy carrier as opposed to someone who appears ill.
Early symptoms can resemble the flu, making the illness difficult to recognize at first. High fever, severe headache (which may present as irritability in young children), nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, unusual drowsiness, a stiff neck and a reddish or purplish rash can all occur. Because the infection can worsen very quickly, anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Many parents are surprised to learn that although their child has received publicly funded meningococcal vaccines through the provincial immunization program, those vaccines do not protect against group B disease. In New Brunswick, children routinely receive vaccines that protect against meningococcal serogroup C at 12 months of age and serogroups A, C, Y, and W in Grade 9. Protection against serogroup B requires a separate vaccine that is not publicly funded.
Bexsero is indicated for individuals aged 2 months to 25 years of age. Since it sounds like your son will be receiving Bexsero for the first time, he will need a two-dose vaccination series, with the doses administered at least four weeks apart. If he will be leaving for university in less than four weeks, the second dose can be transferred and administered at a pharmacy near his university or during the Thanksgiving or Christmas study breaks.
For parents whose children received Bexsero at a younger age, speak with your pharmacist about when the previous doses were given to determine whether a booster dose may be appropriate before beginning university or entering another environment where they will be in close contact with other young adults for extended periods.
Although many universities, colleges, and private schools encourage students living in residence to be vaccinated before first year, the increased risk doesn’t disappear after first year. Students who continue to live, study and socialize in crowded settings can still benefit from the protection the vaccine provides.
Vaccines to protect against meningococcal diseases are among the many immunizations that New Brunswick pharmacists can assess, prescribe when appropriate and administer. Since Bexsero is not publicly funded, the cost of the vaccine and pharmacy services fees generally apply. However, many private drug plans and health spending accounts provide partial or full reimbursement when official receipts are submitted after payment.