Meningococcal Disease Immunization Coverage in Australia Report

This report focuses on meningococcal disease and the critical importance of immunization coverage in Australia. It provides an overview of the disease, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which leads to conditions like meningitis and septicemia. The report highlights the prevalence of the disease, particularly in the aboriginal population and those with inadequate hygiene literacy, and notes the increasing incidence rates in recent years. It discusses the risk factors, symptoms, and diagnosis of the disease, including the role of serogroup B. The report emphasizes the need for vaccination programs, particularly with the Bexsero vaccine, to improve herd immunity and reduce morbidity and mortality. It also outlines the facilities available for vaccination, including a proposed program in New South Wales, and the importance of health literacy to empower patients and improve their quality of life. References to key research and government health resources are provided.

Running head: IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE
Immunization coverage
Name of the student:
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Meningococcal infection:
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. Australian bureau of statistics reported that each year more than 1000 people in
Australia experience the infection which includes septicemia and meningitis. Each year,
average 28 hospital admissions were reported in Australia due to the infection where the majority
of the infected patients were aged in-between 15–19 years (Www2.health.vic.gov.au 2019). The
prevalence of the disease is extremely high in the aboriginal population and population with
inadequate literacy of hygiene (Leung et al. 2019). 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). Hence, in order to reduce the high
prevalence of meningococcal infection, it is crucial develop meningococcal vaccination program
in Victoria which will improve the awareness amongst people and provide them
Prevalence of infection and diagnosis:
While the national incidence of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia has
decreased in 2003 to 2013, 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
(Www1.health.gov.au 2019). Majority of the researchers suggested that the majority of the

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individuals in Australia are carrying Neisseria meningitis in their throat and nose (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 (Www1.health.gov.au 2019). According to Australian government department of
health amongst aged 14–16 years school students in Australia have experienced meningitis
infection (Www1.health.gov.au 2019). 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 (Www2.health.vic.gov.au 2019). Hence, in order to
spread herd immunity, vaccination is required to provide, especially B meningococcal vaccine
(bexsero). The common diagnosis of the infection is collecting a sample from the sputum of the
infected person which will provide the idea. The general practitioner usually collects samples of
blood or cerebrospinal fluid to gather the understanding of the infection.
Risk factors and symptoms:
Mowlaboccus et al. (2017), suggested that the older teenagers aged in between 11 to 24
years are more prone to infection as they tend to carry the causative agents in their throats, nose.
Furthermore, the identified risk factors of the infection include smoking, kissing, infectious
individuals, throat discharge of the infected individuals who are carrying the bacteria. While
there are five different serotypes are a major cause of the infection, serotype B is highly
prevalent in the infected group. The identified symptoms of the infection include fever rashes in
the skin, confusion, severe throat infection, Severe, persistent headache, joint pain, discomfort,
and nausea (Marshall et al. 2016). In extreme cases, the identified systems include loss of limbs,
seizure, brain damage, paralysis, gangrene, or deafness and dysphonia (Lawrence et al. 2016).

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However, because of high health care expenditure as well as the high cost of the vaccination, the
majority of the patients refuse to seek medical assistance which further increases morbidity
associated with the infection.
Facilities available for the vaccination:
As meningococcal infection is a life-threating infection that not only contributes to
sudden death but also causes lifelong permanent disabilities. Hence, vaccination of serotype b,
Bexsero is crucial in order to reduce the high prevalence of the infection. In order to provide the
vaccination and literacy to the individuals who seek to the general practitioner clinic in New
South Wales, a vaccination program would be conducted twice a week in the clinic with the
assistance of general practitioner. The target group for this program would be the patients who
are seeking help from the clinic. 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). Hence, bexsero would be
provided to the target population with the lower cost , especially who belonged to low economic
status. Apart from the vaccination, 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. It will help in reducing health issues and empower patients to live quality lives.

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References:
Donald, R.G., Hawkins, J.C., Hao, L., Liberator, P., Jones, T.R., Harris, S.L., Perez, J.L., Eiden,
J.J., Jansen, K.U. and Anderson, A.S., 2017. Meningococcal serogroup B vaccines: estimating
breadth of coverage. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 13(2), pp.255-265.
Gibney, K.B., Cheng, A.C., Hall, R. and Leder, K., 2016. An overview of the epidemiology of
notifiable infectious diseases in Australia, 1991–2011. Epidemiology & Infection, 144(15),
pp.3263-3277.
Heckemann, B., Schols, J.M. and Halfens, R.J., 2015. A reflective framework to foster
emotionally intelligent leadership in nursing. Journal of Nursing Management, 23(6), pp.744-
753.
Hull, B.P., Hendry, A.J., Dey, A., Beard, F.H., Brotherton, J.M. and McIntyre, P.B., 2017.
Immunisation coverage annual report, 2014. Commun Dis Intell Q Rep, 41(1), pp.E68-E90.
Lawrence, G.L., Wang, H., Lahra, M., Booy, R. and McIntyre, P.B., 2016. Meningococcal
disease epidemiology in Australia 10 years after implementation of a national conjugate
meningococcal C immunization programme. Epidemiology & Infection, 144(11), pp.2382-2391.
Marshall, H., Wang, B., Wesselingh, S., Snape, M. and Pollard, A.J., 2016. Control of invasive
meningococcal disease: is it achievable?. International journal of evidence-based
healthcare, 14(1), pp.3-14.
Mowlaboccus, S., Mullally, C. A., Richmond, P. C., Howden, B. P., Stevens, K., Speers, D. J., ...
& Kahler, C. M. 2017. Differences in the population structure of Neisseria meningitidis in two
Australian states: Victoria and Western Australia. PloS one, 12(10), e0186839.

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References:
Www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au 2019. Meningococcal disease. [online] Betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/
meningococcal-disease [Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].
Www1.health.gov.au 2019. Department of Health | Meningococcal Disease (Invasive). [online]
Www1.health.gov.au. Available at:
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-meningococcal-W.htm
[Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].
Www2.health.vic.gov.au 2019. Meningococcal disease. [online] Www2.health.vic.gov.au.
Available at: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/disease-
information-advice/meningococcal-disease [Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].