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About That Meningitis Letter They Sent Home
from School …
This past spring, the Indiana legislature passed a
bill requiring schools to provide information about
meningococcal meningitis and the vaccines
available to prevent it. Meningococcus is a very
dangerous bacteria that can cause meningitis, an
infection of the fluid that surrounds a person’s
spinal cord and brain. There have NOT been any
cases of meningococcal meningitis identified in
schools; in fact, meningococcus does not usually
spread in schools. The letter that parents are
receiving is just an informational flyer sent out to
fulfill the requirements of SB326, the bill requiring
that schools “distribute materials concerning
meningococcal meningitis and its vaccines”.
There are two licensed vaccines that are available
to prevent 4 different serotypes of meningococcus
(both vaccines combat the same 4 serotypes).
One is called Menomune (MPSV4), the other is
Menactra (MCV4). These vaccines are
recommended for:
1) U.S. Military recruits
2) People who may be exposed to the
bacteria during an outbreak of the disease (such
as health care workers)
3) Anyone living in or traveling to a part of the
world where meningococcal disease is common,
such as West Africa
4) Anyone who has a damaged spleen, or
whose speen has been removed
5) Anyone who has terminal complement
component deficiency (a type of immune system
disorder)
6) Anyone who has a cochlear (inner ear)
implant
7) People who live in very close quarters
where the infection could spread easily, such as a
college dormitory.
This vaccine is not on the list of required
vaccinations for children. However, it is being
required by some colleges prior to enrollment and
it is now a recommended vaccine for ages 11 and
up. It can be given to children ages 2 or older, but
is only given to children under 2 if there has been a
known exposure to meningococcus. Because it is
not a required vaccine, and thankfully this type of
meningitis is not very common, some insurance
companies may not pay for this vaccine.
Unfortunately, these vaccines are expensive; the
wholesale price of Menactra is $85 per dose.
Usually, only one dose of vaccine is needed,
though.
If you are interested in one of these vaccines for
yourself or your child(ren), please contact your
insurance company to determine if they are
covered by your policy: Menomune (CPT 90733)
or Menactra (CPT 90734). Hoosier Housecalls
does not stock these vaccines, but can order them
individually for patients who are interested in
receiving one. For more information about the
meningococcal vaccines, please go to: www.cdc.
gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mening.rtf .
For detailed information about meningitis, please
visit: www.in.
gov/isdh/programs/immunization/SchoolRequirem
ents/MeningoDOE.pdf or www.in.
gov/isdh/dataandstats/epidem/epi_news_archive/2
000/2008/meningitis.htm .
Incidentally, West Nile virus, one type of viral (also
known as aseptic) meningitis has been identified
in some mosquitoes in Hamilton and Marion
counties. However, there have been no human
cases of West Nile virus infection in central and
southern Indiana. There is currently not a vaccine
against West Nile virus. There is also no
treatment for this illness, because it is caused by a
virus and antibiotics are not effective against
viruses. Prevention of mosquito bites protects
against contracting the West Nile virus. For more
information on West Nile virus, please go to: www.
in.gov/isdh/healthinfo/westnile/ .
from School …
This past spring, the Indiana legislature passed a
bill requiring schools to provide information about
meningococcal meningitis and the vaccines
available to prevent it. Meningococcus is a very
dangerous bacteria that can cause meningitis, an
infection of the fluid that surrounds a person’s
spinal cord and brain. There have NOT been any
cases of meningococcal meningitis identified in
schools; in fact, meningococcus does not usually
spread in schools. The letter that parents are
receiving is just an informational flyer sent out to
fulfill the requirements of SB326, the bill requiring
that schools “distribute materials concerning
meningococcal meningitis and its vaccines”.
There are two licensed vaccines that are available
to prevent 4 different serotypes of meningococcus
(both vaccines combat the same 4 serotypes).
One is called Menomune (MPSV4), the other is
Menactra (MCV4). These vaccines are
recommended for:
1) U.S. Military recruits
2) People who may be exposed to the
bacteria during an outbreak of the disease (such
as health care workers)
3) Anyone living in or traveling to a part of the
world where meningococcal disease is common,
such as West Africa
4) Anyone who has a damaged spleen, or
whose speen has been removed
5) Anyone who has terminal complement
component deficiency (a type of immune system
disorder)
6) Anyone who has a cochlear (inner ear)
implant
7) People who live in very close quarters
where the infection could spread easily, such as a
college dormitory.
This vaccine is not on the list of required
vaccinations for children. However, it is being
required by some colleges prior to enrollment and
it is now a recommended vaccine for ages 11 and
up. It can be given to children ages 2 or older, but
is only given to children under 2 if there has been a
known exposure to meningococcus. Because it is
not a required vaccine, and thankfully this type of
meningitis is not very common, some insurance
companies may not pay for this vaccine.
Unfortunately, these vaccines are expensive; the
wholesale price of Menactra is $85 per dose.
Usually, only one dose of vaccine is needed,
though.
If you are interested in one of these vaccines for
yourself or your child(ren), please contact your
insurance company to determine if they are
covered by your policy: Menomune (CPT 90733)
or Menactra (CPT 90734). Hoosier Housecalls
does not stock these vaccines, but can order them
individually for patients who are interested in
receiving one. For more information about the
meningococcal vaccines, please go to: www.cdc.
gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mening.rtf .
For detailed information about meningitis, please
visit: www.in.
gov/isdh/programs/immunization/SchoolRequirem
ents/MeningoDOE.pdf or www.in.
gov/isdh/dataandstats/epidem/epi_news_archive/2
000/2008/meningitis.htm .
Incidentally, West Nile virus, one type of viral (also
known as aseptic) meningitis has been identified
in some mosquitoes in Hamilton and Marion
counties. However, there have been no human
cases of West Nile virus infection in central and
southern Indiana. There is currently not a vaccine
against West Nile virus. There is also no
treatment for this illness, because it is caused by a
virus and antibiotics are not effective against
viruses. Prevention of mosquito bites protects
against contracting the West Nile virus. For more
information on West Nile virus, please go to: www.
in.gov/isdh/healthinfo/westnile/ .
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