There are three main clinical forms of the disease: the meningeal syndrome, the septic form and pneumonia.
The onset of symptoms is sudden and death can follow within hours. In as many as 10-15% of survivors, there are severe persistent neurological defects, including hearing loss, speech disorders, loss of limbs, mental retardation or paralysis.
Survivors can suffer persistent neurological defects. Up to 5-10% of a population may be asymptomatic carriers. The WHO says waning immunity among the population can lead to epidemics, as can overcrowding (such as in student dormitories) and certain climatic conditions.
Effective vaccines are available against most major serotypes (A,C,W,Y) of the bacteria. A vaccine against type B is under development.
Click here for more information on meningococcal disease
This article is part of a series compiled by Vaccines Today to raise awareness of European Immunization Week 2011 which runs from 23-30 April
Payton
June 26th, 2011
This post is very usefull thx!
zania mckenzie
August 16th, 2011
Can you please advise what is the youngest safe age to immunize against meningococcal infection.
Gary Finnegan
August 22nd, 2011
Dear Zania,
Thanks for your question. You’ll find details of recommended vaccine schedules for the UK here and here
For readers in other European countries, the EUVAC website gives an overview of national immunisation and schedules is a good place to start.