Should I, as a parent, be concerned about Meningococcal disease?

The meningococcal disease has been in the news a lot in recent months. The number of people infected with this bacterium has significantly increased over the past three years. Especially meningococcal type W occurs exceptionally often. Should you, as a parent, be concerned about this rapidly spreading disease?

This month, an envelope will arrive in the mailbox of over 4000 children celebrating their 14th birthday, requesting them to get vaccinated against meningococcal ACWY. Moreover, since May 1, 2018, the vaccine has been included in the National Immunization Program for children aged 14 months. This indicates that meningococcal disease is a serious illness. But what exactly is it? Meningococcal is a collective term for diseases caused by the meningococcus, a bacterium. The bacterium is transmitted from person to person, for example, by sneezing or coughing. Although the chance is small that you will actually become ill if you are infected, this chance does exist. The possible consequences can be very serious, such as blood poisoning and meningitis. Meningococcal can even be fatal.

How do you recognize the meningococcal disease?
There are various symptoms by which this disease can be recognized. The most important is developing a stiff neck. Other examples include sudden high fever, headache, nausea, sensitivity to light, and vomiting. Sometimes very small, red or purple spots appear on the skin, as small as a pinhead. Generally, it is mainly teenagers (10 – 19 years) and the elderly who become ill, but babies can also become infected. Possible symptoms in babies include being sleepy, poor feeding, and crying differently than usual. If you lift your baby's legs during a diaper change and your baby responds with severe crying, this can also be a symptom of meningococcal disease.

What should you do if you become infected?
Once infected, you can become seriously ill within a few hours. Contact your doctor immediately if you recognize the above symptoms. It is important to act well and quickly because the consequences can be severe. Antibiotics can help, but because the disease progresses so quickly, they sometimes come too late, making hospitalization necessary. Therefore, always consult your doctor.

Is there reason to panic?
In the past year, 18 people have died from meningococcal disease, including some children. Still, not all children are vaccinated. Is there reason to panic? The RIVM says the following about this: “Experts have determined in advice to the Minister of Health that vaccination for children aged 14 months and older teenagers is the best way to prevent meningococcal disease from increasing in the Netherlands. The chance of becoming ill is still very small. As of mid-2018, there are 10 to 14 patients every month. That is less than 1 patient per million inhabitants in the Netherlands. Also, the chance of illness and spreading of the bacterium is not the same for all age groups. Hardly any cases of illness are detected among primary school-aged children. Very young children also play hardly any role in the spread.”

Self-vaccination?
Nevertheless, there has been a rush for the vaccine. Although this is not recommended – the chance is very small that your child will become infected – it is possible to purchase the vaccine yourself to vaccinate your child(ren). For information about the price and availability of the MenACWY vaccine, you can contact your pharmacy or vaccination center. The costs – on average €60, excluding the consultation fee – are generally at your own expense. This depends on the health insurer with which you are affiliated.