Contagious Diseases - NeisVac C Vaccine

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by Neisseria meningitis, bacteria that lives naturally in the throat and nose of approximately 5-11% of the population. Most people carry the bacteria without ever becoming ill.

Symptoms include the following:

• flu-like illness, fever, severe headache, dislike of bright lights
• drowsiness, confusion, stiffness of neck, seizures (~20% of cases)
• diarrhoea, vomiting, encephalopathy
• rash (Glass Test)

There are many different strains of the disease – meningococcal strains B&C are the most common in Australia and New Zealand.

The disease is spread when the bacteria are passed on through activites such as sneezing, coughing, kissing and sharing food or drinks.

NeisVac C vaccine – recent government programs have been vaccinating Australian school children 5-19 years, and New Zealand school children between 5 -21 years.

The Meningitis Centre Australia

Freecall 1800 250 223

The National Meningitis Trust NZ

Freecall 0800 611 116