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Canadian Committee Recommends Immunization Against Meningococcal Group C Disease for Certain Youth TORONTO, ON -- October 19 2001 -- The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), an advisory body to Health Canada, has issued a statement recommending immunization against meningococcal group C disease -- the leading cause of meningitis outbreaks in Canada -- for infants, children less than five years of age, adolescents and young adults. The committee says immunization of children from five years to adolescence may also be considered, and states that the majority of cases of meningococcal disease occur in the winter months. Speaking at a conference on meningococcal disease sponsored by McGill University last month, Dr. Arlene King, chief of the immunization division, Bureau of Infectious Diseases at the Centre for Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, Health Canada, reported that outbreaks of meningococcal group C disease occur on a cyclical basis every 10 to 15 years, and that the steady increase in cases in Canada since 1998 suggests that we are at the beginning of another upward trend. "We are predicting there will be a continued increase in invasive meningococcal group C disease, probably for the next three to five years. Already in 2001 we have had an increase in the number of cases over this time last year," said Dr. King. "This disease is now completely preventable and we should not be waiting for the next cases before we act." The vaccine Menjugate is indicated for the prevention of meningococcal group C disease in adults and children as young as two months of age. It was approved by Health Canada in April 2001 and because of its conjugate formulation, is the only vaccine against meningococcal group C disease that can be given as of two months of age. Additionally, Menjugate has been shown to induce immunologic memory in infants, toddlers and older children. Menjugate is developed and manufactured by Chiron Corporation and distributed by Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. In its statement, NACI also says the highest incidence rate for serogroup C is seen in children less than one year old, followed by one to four years old, and then by adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. Meningococcal group C disease progresses rapidly with initial symptoms that are relatively benign, such as fever, headache and vomiting. Secondary symptoms include stiff neck and a rash of small red spots, which develop into bruises or blood spots. Approximately 12 percent of all cases result in death, which may occur within hours of the first symptom. "Following outbreaks last winter of meningococcal group C meningitis and with a new winter season fast approaching, NACI's recommendations are timely especially now that we have the availability of a new, effective vaccine," said Dr. Stanley Read, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. "We are now better equipped to significantly reduce the incidence of the disease." "Meningococcal group C disease causes meningitis -- which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain -- and blood poisoning," added Dr. Read. "The symptoms of meningitis come on quickly and progress even more rapidly, which can result in shock, multi-organ failure and even death. Further, 10 to 30 percent of patients who survive suffer serious complications, including brain damage." Meningococcal group C disease has been the major cause of outbreaks in Canada this past winter and spring. Recent outbreaks have occurred in Abbotsford, British Columbia; Toronto and London-Middlesex, Ontario; Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta; and Quebec City and Montéregie, Quebec. The governments of Quebec and Alberta have already initiated massive vaccination programs to prevent further meningitis outbreaks. "Group C meningococcal infections are very serious. The child can develop either meningitis or an overwhelming blood infection called meningococcemia," said Dr. Ron Gold, Medical Advisor for the Meningitis Research Foundation. "As an infectious disease specialist, I have seen the terrible effects of this disease, which can occur at any age, but is most frequent in infants and adolescents. "If a person contracts group C meningitis and survives, there are often many serious complications, such as deafness. The risk of complications and death is much higher in patients with meningococcemia: between 40 and 70 percent of patients die and most survivors suffer complications. Fortunately, all parents can now protect their children against meningococcal group C disease through vaccination." SOURCE: Merck Frosst E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version