by PNBHS

What is meningococcal disease?

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Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria. It can lead to two very serious illnesses: Meningitis– an infection of the brain membranes. Septicaemia– blood poisoning. There are several different types of meningococcal bacteria, including A, C, W, Y and B. In New Zealand, most meningococcal disease is caused by group B, then group W. Bacteria are spread in a similar way to the common cold – by coughing and sneezing, or from contact with saliva (spit).

Young people living closely together in places like boarding school hostels or tertiary education halls of residence need to be immunised to protect against meningococcal disease. Vaccines are available to protect against it.

How serious is it? 

Meningococcal disease can be life-threatening. It can develop and become deadly in just a few hours. People who survive meningococcal disease often have serious long-term effects, including amputation of limbs, hearing loss, seizures, brain injury and permanent skin scarring.

Who is most at risk? 

Meningococcal disease can affect anyone. However, young babies, teenagers and young adults are most at risk. Teenagers and young adults living closely with others, such as in boarding schools or tertiary education halls of residence, are at high risk.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease can be difficult to diagnose because it can look like other illnesses such as the flu. Symptoms can appear swiftly.

General symptoms include high fever, headache, sleepiness, joint and muscle pains.

Specific symptoms (may not necessarily appear) include stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, vomiting, and rash consisting of reddish-purple pin-prick spots or bruises.

If anyone in your care display these symptoms, you should call a GP, Healthline (0800 611 116) or call 111 straight away.

Anyone who has come in close contact with a person with suspected meningococcal disease should isolate until diagnosis is confirmed.

How can I be protected? 

Vaccination protects against the disease and helps stop it spreading in our communities. There are vaccines available in New Zealand that protect against strains A, C, W and Y, and strain B of meningococcal disease. One dose of vaccine protects against A,C, W and Y strains. It’s FREE if you’re aged between 13 and 25 years and entering or in your first year of living in a boarding school hostel, tertiary education hall of residence or military barracks. 

How to get vaccinated?

Vaccines are normally given by a GP, registered nurse and at some pharmacies. In some cases, your organisation may have its own health service that is authorised to administer the vaccines. If so, we encourage you to promote those services to your communities, and provide the relevant information about how they can access the vaccine.

A single dose of Bexsero or Menactra is all that is needed at this age and helps to protect against the various strains of meningococcal disease for at least the next 3-5 years. 

Additional information

For more information on the threat posed by meningococcal disease, please visit www.health.govt.nz/meningococcal.

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