What is meningococcal disease?  Meningococcal disease is a rare but sometimes fatal disease caused by a bacterium.  The disease causes either meningitis, severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcernia, a serious infection of the blood.

How is the disease spread?  The disease is spread by droplets in the air and direct contact with someone who is infected.  That includes coughing or sneezing, kissing, sharing a water bottle or drinking glass, sharing cigarettes, lipstick, lip balm - anything an infected person touches with his or her mouth.

Signs and Symptom of Meningitis

    * Headache
    * Fever
    * Chills
    * Stiff neck
    * Extreme tiredness
    * Vomiting
    * Sensitivity to light
    * Rash of small purplish black-red dots

Where can I get the vaccine for my son or daughter?  If you child has health insurance, you can obtain the meningococcal vaccine from you health-care provider.
Local county health departments have the vaccine available now at no charge for all children who:
    * have no health insurance,
    * are Medicaid eligible,
    * are Native American,
    * or whose health insurance does not pay for vaccines,
and are either 15 through 18 years of age, or who do not have a spleen, have certain immune system problems, or who will be traveling to certain parts of the world.

For more information, contact your healthcare provider or local county health department.