New meningococcal vaccine for children rolls out March 1

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This article was published 03/02/2024 (692 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An updated vaccine program designed to better protect infants and young children from meningococcal disease will be rolled out next month, Manitoba public health officials say.

On March 1, a quadrivalent vaccine, which protects against four types of the meningococcal bacteria — including the “W type” bacteria, which is the cause of recent illness cases in the province — will be available as part of a “change and catch-up campaign.”

“On the advice of our public health experts, we are expediting a new and improved meningococcal vaccine, formulated to better protect young children and infants,” Uzoma Asagwara, minister of health, seniors and long-term care, stated in a press release. “We want to give them the best protection possible against a very serious disease.”

Currently, Manitoba’s childhood immunization program recommends a meningococcal vaccine for 12-month-old infants that protects against the meningococcal bacteria type C. Next month, the province will begin using a quadrivalent vaccine to protect infants and young children against more types of the meningococcal bacteria.

The province says the quadrivalent vaccine will be available to:

• 12-month-old infants who have not received a meningococcal vaccine.

• Children born between Jan. 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2023 who haven’t been immunized against meningococcal disease.

• Children born between Jan. 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2023, who were previously vaccinated against the meningococcal bacteria type C.

According to the press release, children who have already had the previous vaccine are eligible for the quadrivalent vaccine for increased protection against the disease and Manitoba Health recommends that it be spaced at least four weeks apart from their last dose. Children under the age of four are at the greatest risk of serious illness from meningococcal disease.

On Friday, the province sent a letter to health-care providers with more information about the vaccine changes and how to order it for eligible children.

The province says it will follow up in June with a letter to all parents of children born in the eligible cohort with a reminder to book their children’s vaccination.

“I strongly encourage caregivers to have infants and young children immunized with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine,” Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, stated in the press release. “The recent increase in invasive meningococcal disease in the community really underlines the importance of keeping up to date with vaccinations in childhood and throughout our lives.”

The quadrivalent vaccine has been offered as part of Manitoba’s school-based vaccine program since 2019. Many children have received or will be eligible in Grade 6 to receive the vaccine.

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria and is spread through the air from coughing or sneezing. Infection can lead to serious and sometime life-threatening infections in the brain and the blood. Even with prompt medical treatment, meningococcal infections are fatal in 10 per cent of those infected.

Of those who survive the disease, 20 per cent may suffer permanent brain damage, loss of limbs and neurologic disabilities, including hearing loss, seizures, paralysis and developmental delays.

A cluster of invasive meningococcal disease cases affecting children and adults have been previously reported in Manitoba by public health officials.

Since Dec. 21, 2023, a total of nine cases have been identified in Manitoba, including one death.

» The Brandon Sun