Meningococcal Infection: Vaccination Program in Australia

This report provides an overview of meningococcal infection in Australia, highlighting the increasing rate of invasive infections across various territories. It discusses the prevalence of the disease, the risk factors associated with it (such as throat discharge, smoking, and kissing), and the symptoms, including persistent headache, joint pain, fever, discomfort, and nausea. The report also details the available vaccination programs, including Bexsero, and the availability of vaccines like A, C, W, and Y. It emphasizes the importance of vaccination to reduce the risk of the disease. Furthermore, the report defines Meningococcal infection as a deadly bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis and explains that Serogroup B is currently responsible for most infections in Australia. The report references several studies and resources to support its findings, providing a comprehensive analysis of the disease and its management.

vaccination program
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION PREVALENCE IN AUSTRALIA
• The rate of invasive infection has rapidly increased in 2017,
displaying highest rate of the infection amongst the territory
such as New South Wales, northern territory, Queensland,
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia
(Lawrence et al. 2016)
• Hull et al. (2017), reported that 20% of the infected patients
tend to experience lifelong disabilities such as loss of limb
and gangrene and 10% of them experience death due to
septicemia
• According to Australia childhood immunization registry, the
immunization rate for bexosero in the territory is below 93,
indicating the majority of the children is deprived of the
vaccination (Gibney et al. 2016).
Diagnosis:
• samples of blood
• Cerebrospinal flood
figure: prevalence in Australia
source: (Gibney et al. 2016).
RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS
• Infectious individuals
• throat discharge of individual carrying bacteria
• Smoking
• Kissing
Symptoms include:
• persistent headache
• joint pain and fever
• discomfort, and nausea
figure: meningitis
source: (Parikh et al. 2016).
FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR THE
VACCINATIONS
REFERENCE:
• Bexsero, a series of 2 shots would be given to the patients with
infection. While other vaccines of meningococcal such as A, C, W,
and Y are available, bexsero are required to purchase for 2 to 3
shots (Www2.health.vic.gov.au 2019). In Victoria, B vaccine are
available for purchase with a prescription for the patients who are
for the National Immunization Program vaccines
(Www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au 2019).
• free screening along with health literacy session would be
provided to the audience regarding the risk factor of the disease,
how vaccination help to reduce it.
figure:vaccination
source: ( lawrence et al. 2016).
• Meningococcal infection is a deadly
bacterial infection induced by causative
agent Neisseria meningitis which triggers
the inflammation of the membrane which
covers the brain and spinal cord.
• Neisseria meningitidis (or meningococcus)
is a gram-negative diplococcus that can
cause the infection. 13 serogroups of N.
meningitidis, with 6 serogroups (A, B, C,
W135, X and Y) has been observed,
responsible for the majority of cases of
invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)
worldwide. However currently, Serogroup B
is responsible for most of the infection in
Australia, with small numbers of cases due
to serogroup such as C, Y and W135
(Www2.health.vic.gov.au 2019
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