Jan. 15, 2003, 5:32AM
3,500 to get meningitis vaccinations
By LEIGH HOPPER
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Medical Writer
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RESOURCES
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· When: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and Thursday
· Where: Cleveland Junior High School, 1600 E. Houston.
· Who: Those whose last names begin with A through L
should attend today. Those beginning with M through Z should attend
on Thursday.
People younger than 18 will need to be accompanied by, or have
written permission from, a parent or guardian and be accompanied by
an adult familiar with the underage person's medical history.
· A driver's license, utility bill or other evidence of an
address within the Cleveland ISD boundaries will be required. Proof
of age of older youngsters also may be required.
· A $20 donation for each dose will be requested, but TDH
officials said no one will be turned away because of an inability to
pay.
For more information, call 800-270-3128.
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State health officials expect to vaccinate about 3,500 Cleveland
youngsters ages 2 to 19 against meningococcal disease today and Thursday
after confirming three cases in children -- including one death -- since
October.
Health officials are recommending the vaccines to all children within
the boundaries of the Cleveland Independent School District because the
three cases, in a city of about 7,600, represent a higher-than-normal
rate for a small community.
Only one of the children was of school age, said the Texas Department
of Health. No other information about the children was available.
Cleveland is northeast of Houston in Liberty County, adjacent to
Montgomery County, where outbreaks of bacterial meningitis -- one form
of the illness -- caused widespread panic in 2001. That year, state
health department officials vaccinated thousands in Conroe, New Caney
and Humble.
"We've had a history in the area of meningococcal illness," said TDH
spokesman Doug McBride. "That is a factor."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends
vaccinations when the rate of illness from bacteria of the same strain
exceeds 10 cases per 100,000 people in a three-month period. Vaccination
is also considered when there are three cases within three months in
smaller populations, McBride said.
Meningococcal illness, including meningitis and an infection of the
bloodstream called meningococcemia, is caused by Neisseria
meningitidis, a bacterium.
The organism lives in the throats and nasal passages of humans and is
spread through sneezing or coughing directly in the face of someone
else, or by kissing or sharing eating or drinking utensils.
Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and frequent
hand washing can reduce the risk of infection.
Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis may include the sudden onset of
fever, intense headache, stiff neck or back, and nausea often with
vomiting.
Symptoms of meningococcemia may include a sudden onset of fever,
shock symptoms and sometimes a purplish rash.
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