Meningitis B

Meningitis B is caused by the same bacteria as meningococcal disease but a different serotype. It is a very severe disease that is known to kill 10 - 15 people for every 100 that are infected as well as cause permanent damage in10 - 20 per 100 people infected. Since Men B is just another type of meningococcal it can be eradicated through vaccinations and herd immunity (2).

The Men B vaccine is a conjugate vaccine that requires at least two doses to give effective protection against the disease. The vaccine is recommended for anyone who is between the ages of 16 - 25 which is the age range of the people most at risk for the disease. Though it can be given to someone as young as 10 if they are at an increased risk for the disease. Those who are at risk is anyone living near an outbreak, anyone with a damage spleen, and anyone who has a defective compliment system (2).

Men B is a disease of adolescents that has a high severity and a high mortality. The vaccine is not yet part of the CDC schedule and is only a recommendation. If vaccinations were to stop the incidence would increase dramatically in collage age people (2).

(1)

¹Ford, S. (2020, January 24). Meningitis B vaccination programme sparks 62% drop in cases. Retrieved May 2, 2020, from https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/public-health/meningitis-b-vaccination-programme-sparks-62-drop-in-cases-24-01-2020/ 

²Vaccine Information Statement. (2019, August 15). Retrieved May 2, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening-serogroup.html