Latest news with #Meningococcal
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
US FDA approves use of Sanofi's meningococcal vaccine in infants
French drugmaker Sanofi said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its meningococcal vaccine for use in infants as young as six weeks, making it the first shot intended for the age group. The vaccine, branded as MenQuadfi, is already approved for individuals aged two years and older to protect against the four most common strains of meningococcal bacteria - A, C, W and Y, the company said on 23 May 2025. Meningococcal infections, caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, can cause serious, sometimes deadly, bloodstream infections, as well as severe swelling in the brain and spinal cord. British drugmaker GSK's shot Menveo is approved in children as young as two months and adults up to 55 years of age. "I think for convenience factor and accessibility... it is nice to have options," said Patty Sabey, a paediatrician with Stanford Medicine Children's Health, ahead of the decision. The approval was based on data from three late-stage studies involving more than 6,000 participants aged six weeks to 19 months, which showed that MenQuadfi was as effective as Menveo when co-administered with other routine paediatric vaccines. Sabey said meningococcal vaccine is not a routine vaccine for infants in the U.S. even though young infants, especially under one year, are at higher risk of infection. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends all adolescents aged 11 to 12 years should receive a meningococcal vaccine, followed by a booster dose at age 16 years. The agency also recommends that individuals aged two months and older who are at increased risk of the disease should receive the vaccine. According to preliminary data from the CDC, 503 confirmed and probable cases of meningococcal disease were reported last year, the highest since 2013.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Buffy' Stars Talk About 'Most Import Pressure' Parents Face
They once fought werewolves and vampires as stars of the hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but now Alyson Hannigan and Sarah Michelle Gellar are talking about an all too familiar problem facing parents today: Staying Healthy. The two women talked about how prioritizing health was important to both of them as moms, and opened up about how they hope to help their daughters learn better habits so they don't repeat their parents mistakes. Related: Josh Duhamel Gets Candid About How Hard It Is To Raise Kids While Being an Actor The two moms spoke with People about their shared focus on health, telling the magazine that they really hope to set a good example for their daughters when it comes to making good choices, calling it one of the hardest jobs they have. 'Oh my goodness. I always say that when you get married, you worry about that person," Gellar explained. "But that person is a fully formed adult and they can take care of themselves. Once you have children, every minute of every day is, what do I need to do? What haven't I done for them? What are they doing right now? Because you're their caretaker, you are responsible for these human beings and that's the most important pressure that exists." That's part of what inspired the pair to join up with pharmaceutical brand GSK to promote the importance of vaccinating teens, especially when it comes to Meningococcal diseases (AKA: Meningitis). 'It's an uncommon, but a very serious illness that can, within 24 hours sometimes, have very serious consequences, even death,' Hannigan told the magazine. 'My good friend lost one of her very close friends in high school. He was captain of the football team, star athlete. He went home with a headache and the next day he died. It just rocked their world and it was the first time that any of them had ever heard about it.' As such, the pair are working with the Ask2BSure campaign, hoping that more parents will learn about meningitis and how to prevent it. While those between the ages of 16-23 at at an increased risk, it sounds like Gellar and Hannigan's kiddos may already be covered, but hopefully their message reaches those who may not be. Up Next:
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Brits doing Hajj pilgrimage told to get 'essential' jab after new cases of disease
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding travellers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah and the upcoming Hajj pilgrimages to ensure they are vaccinated against meningitis The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is issuing a reminder to those travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah and the upcoming Hajj pilgrimages to get vaccinated against meningitis. The agency is urging these travellers to ensure they have received the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against meningococcal disease, due to ongoing outbreaks of serogroup W (MenW) disease linked to travel to KSA. Between February and March 2025, the UKHSA confirmed five cases of MenW disease in individuals who had recently returned from KSA or their close contacts in England and Wales. Invasive meningococcal disease, caused by meningococcal bacteria, is rare but serious, leading to conditions such as meningococcal meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining) and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can be fatal or result in life-altering disabilities. Those embarking on Hajj or Umrah, as well as seasonal workers, must present a valid MenACWY vaccination certificate issued between 10 days and three to five years prior to arrival, depending on the type of MenACWY vaccine previously administered. However, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) recommend that all travellers to KSA consider getting the quadrivalent meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine, particularly amidst the current MenW outbreak. Meningitis symptoms Pilgrims and travellers returning from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are advised to monitor for symptoms such as fever, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, extreme sleepiness, and seizures during their trip and for two weeks after their return to the UK. These symptoms may initially resemble flu and can manifest in any order, but they can escalate to serious illness within hours. If anyone experiences these symptoms and is worried about their health or someone else's, they should seek immediate medical advice or call 999 in a medical emergency. Dr Shamez Ladhani, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "The MenACWY vaccination is essential for pilgrims travelling to KSA for Umrah and Hajj, particularly given recent cases among UK returnees and their families. Meningococcal disease can be fatal and may leave survivors with serious lifelong conditions including hearing loss, brain damage and limb amputations. "Pilgrims should ensure vaccination at least ten days before travel and remain vigilant for symptoms like sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, or rash. If you or anyone at home becomes unwell with any symptoms of meningitis within two weeks of returning from Saudi Arabia, contact your GP or NHS 111, mentioning your recent travel history, or dial 999 in case of emergency." Dr Sahira Dar, president of the British Islamic Medical Association, highlighted the increased risk of infectious diseases due to the close proximity of pilgrims: "During Hajj and Umrah, millions of people gather in very close proximity during the pilgrim rights, in accommodation sites and on public transport. This means that there is a much higher risk of contracting infectious diseases such as meningitis which is a serious illness. We highly recommend that everyone going on Hajj and Umrah receive their MenACWY vaccine which could protect them and their loved ones back home." In addition, UKHSA is alerting travellers to the potential risks associated with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Although the threat to UK residents is low, pilgrims are advised to take specific precautions: - Avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products - Steer clear of camels and any animal waste - Maintain high standards of hygiene, especially washing hands after visiting farms, barns, or markets If symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing arise within two weeks after leaving Saudi Arabia, individuals should promptly contact a GP or NHS 111. It's crucial to mention the recent travel history and any exposure to respiratory cases, healthcare facilities, or camels while travelling. For comprehensive advice on vaccinations and travel health for KSA, the NaTHNaC website offers further information.
West Australian
24-04-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Meningococcal disease: Four cases of dangerous bacterial infection confirmed in past week
Four cases of meningococcal have been confirmed in WA in the past week, health authorities say. WA Health said two of these cases are children from the same household, while the other two cases are in adults who have no link to the children or each other. It's renewed calls for the State Government to fund the B strain of the meningococcal vaccine after three of the four new cases were identified as type B, with testing of the fourth case underway. 'All individuals are recovering in hospital,' WA Health said in a statement. Meningococcal disease is uncommon, but can quickly become life-threatening if the bacterial infection gets into the bloodstream or the membranes that line the spinal cord and brain. But it's not easily spread from person to person. The bacterium is in droplets from the nose or throat and is usually spread by coughing or sneezing during close or prolonged contact. While about 10-20 per cent of the population carry the bacteria in the back of the nose or throat at any given time, meningococcal bacteria don't survive more than a few seconds in the environment. Symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease can include high fevers, chills, headaches, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, or severe muscle and joint pain. Authorities say it is harder to detect in very young children, so fever, pale or blotchy complexion, vomiting, lethargy (inactivity), poor feeding and a rash are important signs. There are several strains, or serogroups, of meningococcal. The most common are types A, B, C, W and Y. A combined vaccine for A, C, W and Y strains is free via the National Immunisation Program for all children aged 12-months, but the immunisation to protect against the B strain is not. Aboriginal children can access the MenACWY vaccine as early as six weeks and up to 12-months due to its higher prevalence among the First Nations population. They can also receive the MenB vaccine up to two-years-old. Immunising against MenB is a costly exercise in WA. The jab costs $600 for babies and $400 for teens and is free only for First Nations children and other children with specified conditions. WA campaigners lobbying for the MenB vaccine to be funded by the State Government say the cost of a vaccine program is a fraction of the ongoing costs of the one in four who are left with permanent disability following the disease. 'Meningitis Centre Australia are deeply concerned that despite advocating strongly to WA Government to have Meningococcal B placed on the state immunisation program we continue to see WA cases rise from a vaccine preventable disease,' Meningitis Centre Australia chief executive Karen Quick said. 'The (MenB) vaccine should be in the arms of our most vulnerable protecting our community, not sitting on shelves.' Four of the five cases of meningococcal reported in WA this year have been type B. There were 13 meningococcal cases in WA in 2024, and one death. For more information, visit HealthyWA .
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Four cases of meningococcal confirmed in WA in past week
Four cases of meningococcal have been confirmed in WA in the past week, health authorities say. WA Health said two of these cases are children from the same household, while the other two cases are in adults who have no link to the children or each other. It's renewed calls for the State Government to fund the B strain of the meningococcal vaccine after three of the four new cases were identified as type B, with testing of the fourth case underway. 'All individuals are recovering in hospital,' WA Health said in a statement. Meningococcal disease is uncommon, but can quickly become life-threatening if the bacterial infection gets into the bloodstream or the membranes that line the spinal cord and brain. But it's not easily spread from person to person. The bacterium is in droplets from the nose or throat and is usually spread by coughing or sneezing during close or prolonged contact. While about 10-20 per cent of the population carry the bacteria in the back of the nose or throat at any given time, meningococcal bacteria don't survive more than a few seconds in the environment. Symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease can include high fevers, chills, headaches, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, or severe muscle and joint pain. Authorities say it is harder to detect in very young children, so fever, pale or blotchy complexion, vomiting, lethargy (inactivity), poor feeding and a rash are important signs. There are several strains, or serogroups, of meningococcal. The most common are types A, B, C, W and Y. A combined vaccine for A, C, W and Y strains is free via the National Immunisation Program for all children aged 12-months, but the immunisation to protect against the B strain is not. Aboriginal children can access the MenACWY vaccine as early as six weeks and up to 12-months due to its higher prevalence among the First Nations population. They can also receive the MenB vaccine up to two-years-old. Immunising against MenB is a costly exercise in WA. The jab costs $600 for babies and $400 for teens and is free only for First Nations children and other children with specified conditions. WA campaigners lobbying for the MenB vaccine to be funded by the State Government say the cost of a vaccine program is a fraction of the ongoing costs of the one in four who are left with permanent disability following the disease. 'Meningitis Centre Australia are deeply concerned that despite advocating strongly to WA Government to have Meningococcal B placed on the state immunisation program we continue to see WA cases rise from a vaccine preventable disease,' Meningitis Centre Australia chief executive Karen Quick said. 'The (MenB) vaccine should be in the arms of our most vulnerable protecting our community, not sitting on shelves.' Four of the five cases of meningococcal reported in WA this year have been type B. There were 13 meningococcal cases in WA in 2024, and one death. For more information, visit HealthyWA.
