Meningococcal Vaccines in Children are Important!

After the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had an impact all over the world, other infectious diseases and ways to protect themselves from these diseases have also gained importance.

Private Health Hospital Pediatrics Specialist Dr. Irmak Ünver pointed out that meningitis is one of the most important diseases that progress rapidly in childhood and cause disability, blindness, mental retardation, hearing loss, loss of limbs and even death.

Providing information about Meningitis infection, which causes inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and nervous system, Uzm. Dr. Ünver said, “There are many microorganisms that cause meningitis in childhood. However, one of the 3 bacteria that causes meningitis most frequently is the meningococcal microbe, which we call Neiseria meningitidis. Although infants and children in the first 5 years of age constitute the most important risk group due to the immaturity of their immune systems and the bacterium is more common in young age groups in our country, it is the second most common period in adolescents. For this reason, vaccination is the most important method in the prevention of meningococcal disease in childhood. There is no single protective vaccine against all serogroups that cause meningococcal disease.

TRANSMITTED THROUGH RESPIRATORY

Stating that the only source in the spread of the disease is human and it is transmitted by respiratory tract, Uzm. Dr. Irmak Ünver said, “The meningococcal bacteria is transmitted from person to person through contact or air or droplets emitted from the mouth during coughing and sneezing. The disease initially occurs with symptoms such as chills, chills, fever, weakness, runny nose, muscle aches, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea. Since these findings are not specific to the disease, diagnosis is difficult and misleading, and when specific symptoms appear, it may be too late for treatment.

VACCINES HAVE NO SIDE EFFECTS

Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Irmak Ünver said that most of the people who were vaccinated did not experience serious side effects. Dr. Unver said, “Although it is not expected to have serious side effects that will cause disease throughout the body after vaccination, side effects such as redness, swelling and tenderness, high fever can be seen in the area where the vaccine is administered. The vaccine may cause undesirable effects in various situations. In these cases, it may be undesirable to vaccinate in some people. Those who have had an allergic reaction to the meningococcal vaccine before and those who are allergic to any substance in the vaccine should not be vaccinated without the control and approval of a physician. As a result, meningococcal diseases cause significant sequelae and death in case of transmission. Vaccines for protection against infection are also available in our country and can be used safely.