Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright
Information Inc., Bethesda, MD.
Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii).
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Cases of meningitis are declining fast in
South Devon as a new vaccine begins to take effect. The meningitis C vaccine
was introduced just over three years ago. The latest figures of 40 cases in the
last year are less than half the peak of 82 cases reached in 2000. The news
comes as the peak season for meningitis and septicaemia draws near. Parents are
being warned to remain vigilant for the flu-like symptoms of the different
strains of meningitis. The vaccination program is now available to everyone
under the age of 24, and is routinely given to babies. There are two main
strains of the meningococcus in Great Britain, group B and group C. The C
vaccine offers protection against the group C strain, but it offers no
protection against group B.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
"A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth."
-- Albert Einstein, letter to a friend, 1901
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
"What's the point of vaccination if it doesn't protect you from the unvaccinated?"
-- Sandy Gottstein
"Who gets to decide what the greater good is and how many will be sacrificed to it?"