As a parent, I am concerned about the safety of my two-month-old child. I want to make sure that he is protected from all possible dangers, and one such danger is meningococcus. To help me understand if my child should be vaccinated against this bacterial disease, I will first provide some context on what meningococcal bacterial disease is and its potential consequences.
Meningococcal bacterial disease is a severe condition caused by the presence of meningococcus bacteria in the bloodstream or cerebrospinal fluid. This disease can lead to two dangerous conditions: meningitis and septicemia. Meningitis causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, while septicemia is a life-threatening condition where the bacteria spread throughout the body’s bloodstream. Even if patients recover from these conditions, about 20% of them may suffer long-term effects such as amputation, deafness, blindness, or psychological disorders.
It’s important to note that not all cases of meningococcus are deadly or result in long-term effects. However, children under 1 year old are at a higher risk of contracting this disease due to their developing immune systems. Additionally, children in communities with high rates of asymptomatic carriers are also at risk because they do not receive many vaccinations yet. Group B meningococcus is particularly common in Vietnam, making it even more important for parents to consider vaccination options for their babies early on in life.
In Vietnam, there are two types of vaccines available for meningococcus: one offers protection to infants and young children under five months old and another targets adolescents and young adults aged 15-25 years old. Given that your baby is about to turn two months old, it would be wise to consult with a vaccination doctor to determine which vaccine option would be best for him based on his age and health status.
Overall, it’s important for parents to be proactive when it comes to protecting their babies from diseases like meningococcus. Vaccination can significantly reduce the number of cases each year and help prevent serious consequences like amputations or death.
