2023-04-18 06:32:16
Little Elisabeth contracted meningococci when she was eleven months old. She is still suffering from the effects of the disease today.
Vienna (OTS) – Her parents did not know that there are various vaccines that could have prevented the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) wants with the World Vaccination Week from April 24th to 30th therefore raise awareness of protection options against avoidable diseases. Vaccinations are among the greatest achievements of medicine and comprehensive vaccination protection can prevent lifelong consequences.
Although meningococcal disease is rare, it can quickly become life-threatening. Babies and small children in particular are particularly at risk due to their immature immune systems. Elisabeth’s (name changed) parents also had to experience this with their eleven-month-old daughter. The little one had not slept all night, she was suffering from fever and could not lie still. The doctors in the emergency room suspected a flu infection and sent the mother home with her sick child – twice. Only on the third visit to the hospital, when Elisabeth already had dark skin bleeding all over her body and was only breathing shallowly, was the suspicion of meningococcal sepsis raised. Suddenly everything had to happen very quickly to save Elisabeth’s life. After a few hours, the suspicion was confirmed and the little girl barely survived. Her parents did not know at the time that there were different meningococcal pathogens and therefore different vaccinations. Elisabeth was only vaccinated against one of the pathogen groups.
Parents should ask their doctors about the different vaccinations
In Austria, three different vaccinations are available against meningococci for the best possible protection of the little ones. Vaccination against the most common group B is recommended in the Austrian vaccination plan as early as possible from the age of two months. Vaccination against meningococci C is also possible. This is recommended for small children as early as possible in the 13th month of life. The significantly later vaccination against ACWY is recommended from the age of 10 to 18 years. Parents should seek advice on protection options from the pediatrician’s practice at an early stage.
Elisabeth fought her way back to life
Elisabeth’s story also shows why prevention is so important and why the WHO wants to pay special attention to vaccination protection with the vaccination week. Because an illness can affect those affected for the rest of their lives: Up to 20 percent of those who survive have permanent consequences, such as amputations, hearing loss or brain damage. Even with proper medical care, about 1 in 10 patients die. It was tight for Elisabeth: she had to stay in the hospital for almost three months and received blood transfusions. The little girl also needed dialysis because her organs were starting to fail. About a year after her illness, she still has to be fed through a tube and cannot swallow. Her immune system is weakened and her adrenal glands are likely to remain permanently damaged. The little fighter underwent more than 20 operations on her right leg, which is badly scarred and cannot grow properly.
The WHO aims to significantly reduce meningitis by 2030
The World Immunization Week of the WHO (World Health Organization) from April 24th to 29th is intended to create greater awareness worldwide of the relevance of vaccinations. One of the WHO’s goals is to significantly reduce meningitis, which can be caused by meningococci, among other things, by 2030 – vaccinations can offer protection against this disease. To protect their little ones, parents in Austria should speak to their pediatrician as early as possible about the various meningococcal vaccinations and seek advice.
More information at: www.meningokokken-erkrankung.at; www.facebook.com/MeningokokkenJaZumSchutz; www.instagram.com/meningokokkenjazumschutz/
GSK is a global biopharmaceutical company that combines science, technology and talent to work together one step ahead of diseases. Learn more at www.gsk.com/about-us.
Questions & contact:
GlaxoSmithKline Pharma GmbH
Mag. Barbara Masser-Mayerl
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barbara.b.masser-mayerl@gsk.com
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