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From: werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner)
Newsgroups: net.kids,net.med
Subject: Re: Meningitis Vaccine (Hemophilus influenza)
Message-ID: <1989@aecom.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Oct-85 00:10:28 EST
Article-I.D.: aecom.1989
Posted: Tue Oct 29 00:10:28 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 30-Oct-85 07:45:36 EST
References: <1216@vax135.UUCP> <345@tove.UUCP>
Organization: Albert Einstein Coll. of Med., NY
Lines: 26
Xref: watmath net.kids:2185 net.med:2653

> In article <1216@vax135.UUCP> crg@vax135.UUCP (Catherine Grimes) writes:
> >Is anyone familiar with a vaccine for meningitis(spelling ?) vaccine?
> >My son attends a daycare center and our pediatrician has recommended that
> >be vaccinated.  I'm concerned because I know that it is relatively new.


	The new vaccine is not for the meningococcus.  It is rather for the
bacteria Hemophilus influenza, which despite its name, has nothing to do with
influenza, but is instead the #1 cause of childhood meningitis.  It is a
polysaccharide vaccine, which may mean nothing to a lot of you, but which is
the safest type of vaccine possible.
	It's only drawback is that it is no good for children under 12-18
months, who really need it most.  However, it is highly protective in the
2-7 yr range.  It just became available, but has undergone significant testing.
I would recommend it to all parents.

	(Just some meaningless bacteriology.  The so-called meningococcus is
really called Neiseria meningititis. It is a close cousin (step-brother?) of
Neiseria gonorrheae, alias "the clap".  N.meningititis is actually found in
most people's throats and causes Respiratory infections in children far more
often than meningitis.  Incidentally N.gonorheae can cause meningitis too.)
-- 

				Craig Werner
				!philabs!aecom!werner
               "Why is it that half the calories is twice the price?"