Meningococcal disease in young people

Nikki Turner discusses meningococcal disease in NZ’s young people. The burden of disease, who gets sick and why. Immunisation will be discussed in depth.

Topics

Intro
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How many young people are affected each year in NZ?
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How does one get Meningococcal disease?
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What populations are at the greatest risk
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What are the symptoms and do they vary in different age groups?
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What is the treatment?
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How serious is this disease - what are the outcomes?
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How can we prevent it?
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What vaccinations are available in NZ and what strains are they effective against?
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How effective are the vaccinations?
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Which groups of young people should we target?
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How do we space vaccinations?
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How does the trajectory of the disease change by being vaccinated?
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How long does protection last?
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Take-home messages
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Take home messages

Meningococcal disease is a rare but very important disease, that comes on suddenly, can masquerade as other illnesses and can be devastating if not treated rapidly.
It is most common in infancy, young children and adolescents/young adults and is seen more in Pacific and Maori children.
Treat early on suspicion with antibiotics, do not delay.
The bacterium is commonly carried in the nasopharynx, particularly of adolescents and young adults and only occasionally becomes invasive. The risk of invasive disease is increased with certain medical conditions, smoking, binge drinking, and crowded hou
NZ does not have a universal programme, only a programme targeted at high-risk medical conditions and some adolescents/young adults in close living quarters.
There are two sorts of vaccines – conjugates against A,C,Y and W and recombinant Group B. Both are needed to be offered for the best protection.
A universal programme is the best way to protect our children and young adults. Currently, for most, we only have private market vaccines. This creates a significant equity barrier to those who are unaware or cannot afford them.

Resources

Immunisation Handbook 2020 Ministry of health
Meningococcal Disease IMAC
Meningococcal disease: information for health professionals IMAC
Immunise against meningococcal disease - HE2596 HealthED

Patient Resources

Presenter

Nikki Turner

Academic General Practitioner

Contact

Nikki Turner is an academic General Practitioner and an Associate Professor in the Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Auckland. She works part-time as a General Practitioner at NUHS Broadway Clinic in Wellington. Her roles include Director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) at the University of Auckland.