Apr 24, 2009 8:30 pm US/Eastern
Some Kids Can Receive Free Meningitis Vaccine
4 Dead, 8 Infected In Last Six Months From Rare Strain
With Early Detection It Can Be Treated With Antibiotics
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The Miami-Dade Health Department says a new check of its records shows that 13 people have contracted the dangerous and sometimes deadly W135 strain of bacterial meningitis since last December in South Florida. The new check shows that there are 2 cases in Broward, up from one.
Dr. Vincent Conte, Assistant Director of the Office of Epidemiology and Disease Control for the Miami-Dade Health Dept., told
CBS4 that 10 people have contracted the infection in Miami-Dade and three have died, including British school teacher Jade Thomas. Two have been infected in Broward and one has died. There is one more case in Palm Beach.
Conte said no new cases have been reported in the past two weeks. "But that does not mean we are in the clear yet of these cases," Conte said. "New cases have been coming up at the rate of every week and a half to two weeks."
Conte stressed the importance of vaccinations, saying "It's the only way we have to protect people against the meningitis bacteria. The problem is that it can become lethal in a very short period of time."
It's not known how the victims were infected. Usually this strain of meningitis is contracted after close contact with others at places such as schools.
At a Miami-Dade Health Dept. clinic in Perrine, we found that some people were heeding the precautions and getting shots of the MCV4 vaccine, which costs $122.49 at such clinics and provides lifetime protection, said Conte. Vaccinations for youngsters are free for those between the ages 11 and 18. Many insurance companies that we checked, including Aetna and United Health, do cover the cost of a shot, after a co-pay which is often $20.
At the Perrine clinic, Gregory Izquierdo watched as his 12-year-old cousin Ricky Martinez was getting the vaccine. "It's important because I want him to be safe," he said. "I was concerned because his mother and I had seen all the reports on TV and that concerned her. It's better to be safe than sorry."
Martinez, who recently came to the U.S. from Cuba, smiled as he received the vaccine and two other shots and said the shots did not hurt him.
Dr. Conte reminded people that the symptoms of the dangerous strain of meningitis include: fever, lethargy, irritability, headaches, photophobia, which is sensitivity to light, stiff neck, skin rashes and seizures. He said about 2800 people nationwide contract this meningitis every year. It can kill within hours. After taking the MCV4 vaccine, it takes the body about a week to develop anti-bodies against the disease.
Conte recommends the vaccinations for: youngsters between the ages of 11 and 18, college freshmen living in dorms, U.S. military recruits, microbiologists who are routinely exposed to the meningitis bacteria and anyone traveling to countries where meningitis is common, such as Africa and Saudia Arabia.
Conte did say children as young as two could receive the MCV4 vaccine and those younger than two under special circumstances could receive a different vaccine, which is the previous one used known as MCPV4, which provides protection for five years.
"While that is an early age," said Conte, "the benefits outweigh the risks." He also said if someone in the categories mentioned had received the older MCPV4 vaccine more than 5 years ago, he or she should now receive the new vaccine.
The vaccine against this dangerous strain of bacteria is required before children enter kindergarten.
In the wake of four deaths stemming from a rare strain of bacterial meningitis, the Miami-Dade Health Department has announced its offering free vaccinations for some children.
Kids, age 11 to 18, can be vaccinated against the dangerous W135 strain of meningitis by calling the department's Special Immunization Program at (786) 845-0550. The vaccination for these children is free. Others who want to get the vaccine should check with their doctors or receive the vaccine from the Miami-Dade Health Department for $122.40.
Conte also urges you to call your own doctor if you have any questions. That's the recommendation as well from the Broward Health Dept., which has not set up a special number to deal with questions about this type of meningitis.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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