Meningococcal Meningitis

Are You Covered?

Service Benefit Plan benefits are available under both options for a meningococcal vaccine.

Each year, about 3,000 people die from meningococcal meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis is a form of meningitis caused by specific bacteria which causes swelling of the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms include a fever, headache and a stiff neck. Nausea, aching muscles and skin rashes may also occur. Even though it can be treated with antibiotics and other drugs, it can cause permanent brain damage and hearing loss.

Getting immunized is important for teens entering high school and college students living in dormitories. Some colleges even require this immunization. Unfortunately, many only hear about the vaccine when their child already has the disease or a local college reports some students have the disease.

Talk to your physician about getting your teenage or college age children vaccinated with the meningococcal immunization.

Written by Paula Spurway, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Originally appeared in the March 2006 issue of Straight talk. Resource is the 2006 Service Benefit Plan brochure (RI 71-005) and www.webmd.com (Meningitis).