Neuroscience For Kids
Meningitis Vaccine Supply in Good Shape
November 13, 2006
In January 2005, the US Food and Drug
Administration approved Menactra, a vaccine to fight bacterial meningitis (meningococcal disease).
However, in May 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommended that children 11-12 years old should delay
getting the vaccine because supplies of the vaccine were short.
Good news! The shortage is over. Sanofi Pasteur, the company that makes
the vaccine, has announced that supplies of Menactra are adequate. The CDC now
recommends that kids 11-12 years old, if not previously vaccinated,
should be vaccinated.
The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that the following people should be vaccinated:
- Adolescents who are entering high school or are 15 years of age and have not been vaccinated previously.
- College freshmen who live in dormitories.
- Other people who are at a high risk such as people who will be traveling to places with high rates of meningococcal disease.
 Hear IT! |
 |
Meningitis | |
Meningococcal |
References and Links:
- Killer Disease on Campus - NOVA TV show
- Prevention and Control of Meningococcal Disease - May 27, 2005; CDC
- Meningitis
- Meningococcal Meningitis - eMedicine
- Meningococcal Disease - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Meningococcal Disease and College Students
Copyright © 1996-2006, Eric H. Chudler, University of Washington
