WRHA hosting meningococcal vaccine clinics to better protect younger children
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Published Thursday, April 11, 2024
Manitoba is updating routine childhood vaccines to better protect infants and young children from meningococcal disease. Previously, children who were 12 months of age received a vaccine that offered protection against one type of meningococcal bacteria, an updated quadrivalent vaccine now expands the protection to cover four types of meningococcal bacteria.
The quadrivalent vaccine is recommended for infants 12 months of age, as well as for children born between January 1, 2020 and February 28, 2023. Even if your child has received the previous monovalent meningococcal-C vaccine, they can receive the updated quadrivalent vaccine free of charge. The quadrivalent vaccine is not new – it is currently used successfully as a routine vaccine for our grade 6 population. This provincial update enables our younger children to also benefit from this protection. Health care providers began to offer the quadrivalent vaccine for younger children in March 2024.
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can affect all ages, however children younger than 5 years of age are at the greatest risk of severe illness.
"Meningococcal disease is a very serious illness which can cause swelling of the brain. Children can become very ill, requiring hospitalization," says Dr. Lerly Luo, public health physician for the Winnipeg Health Region. "One in ten cases may end in death, even with prompt medical treatment. That's why vaccination is so important to protect our young children."
While meningococcal disease is rare, it can be serious and leave long-term problems such as brain damage, developmental delay, and long-term disability from severe complications.
To ensure Manitoba children are protected, the WRHA is hosting a number of public clinics across the region throughout April and May to help our children get up to date.
A list of upcoming clinics and how to make an appointment can be found here. Appointments can also be made by calling 1-844-626-8222 and walk in service is available at our public clinics as well. You can also get the vaccine at your family doctor or pediatrician's office.
High immunization rates are important to prevent infection and to protect our community including vulnerable people who cannot be immunized due medical contraindications and other reasons.
The WRHA is also offering measles vaccines at the public clinics to help children who are not up to date get caught up. Measles is a highly infectious viral infection, which has recently seen a significant rise in cases in many parts of the world. Immunization is the best way to protect against measles, known to offer over 95% protection after two doses of measles vaccine.
If you are not sure if you or your children are up to date with your vaccines, immunization records can be requested online at forms.gov.mb.ca/immunization-update-request or with your primary care provider. Our clinic staff also have access to the provincial immunization registry and will review your child's immunization records at your appointment.
Vaccines are safe, effective, and strengthen our immune systems. Vaccines help to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations, protecting our children and our community.
For more information, please contact WRHA communications at [email protected].