Q: I saw something on social media about a vaccine students living in university dormitories should get. Can you tell me more about this?
I saw advertising campaigns online this summer regarding this vaccination as well. It’s great to see this information is getting out there and I’m glad you are asking about it too. It is to protect against an uncommon but potentially life-threatening bacterial infection called invasive meningococcal group B disease. The infection can lead to meningitis, which is inflammation of the protective tissue that surrounds our brain and spinal cord, and to blood poisoning.
Within 24-48 hours of symptom onset, one in 10 cases of Meningitis B can be fatal. For those who survive, one in five will experience lifelong complications such as hearing loss, neurological disorders, brain damage and amputations.
Age is a big predictor of your risk of developing a Meningitis B infection. The highest rates of infection are in infants younger than one year of age followed by children one to four years old, adolescents 15 to 19 years old and young adults 20 to 24 years old. Risk is further increased by medical conditions that weaken your immune system, by being in crowded areas, and by living in close contact with others such as in university dormitories or military barracks.
At any time, approximately 10 per cent of adolescents and young adults are carrying the bacteria responsible for causing Meningitis B infections in the back of their nose and throat. They are known as carriers and although they never develop symptoms, they can spread the bacteria to others for up to six months. Most cases result from contact with a healthy carrier as opposed to a person who is sick.
The bacteria is easily spread when we inhale respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze and through kissing. Sharing anything that touches saliva such as beverage cups, vape pens, musical instruments, lip gloss, utensils and toys can spread the bacteria as well.
Early symptoms can be hard to distinguish as Meningitis B because like so many other infections it starts with flu-like symptoms. However, very quickly it progresses to a severe headache (this often presents as irritability in young children as they can’t express what hurts), a sudden high fever, nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity, fatigue, a stiff or sore neck, and a reddish-purplish rash. There is no time to wait with a Meningitis B infection. If you have symptoms, seek emergency medical assistance right away.
In Canada, there are five serotypes that are responsible for most of the meningitis infections, and they are called A, B, C, Y and W135. The publicly-funded vaccination program in New Brunswick vaccinates babies against serotype C at 12 months old and vaccinates adolescents against serotypes A, C, Y and W135 in grade 9. Although vaccines for Meningitis B are available, they are not included in your child’s routine immunization schedule. Having the other meningitis vaccines provides no protection against the B serotype.
Immunization against Meningitis B can begin as early as two months of age, but you need to ask for it, and it may be associated with out-of-pocket costs. Like all the meningitis vaccines, immunity decreases over time, which is why we see serotype C included again in the grade 9 meningitis shot. If a child is immunized before the age of six, booster doses are required every three to five years and if they are immunized at age seven or older, booster doses are required every five years.
If you are heading to university and you have never been immunized against Meningitis B, you will need two doses that are given 28 days apart. To boost your protection against the other serotypes that cause meningitis, you can also get a single booster shot to cover serotypes A, C, Y and W135. Common vaccine side effects that affect more than 1 in 10 people and that happen at the injection site include temporary pain, tenderness, redness, swelling and hardness of the skin.
Your doctor, nurse practitioner or local pharmacist can prescribe and administer these vaccinations for you. If you happen to move locations before you receive the second dose, your prescription refill can be transferred to any pharmacy within Canada.
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. Send your questions to AskYourNBPharmacist@gmail.com.