Māori and Pacific peoples are the ethnic groups most at risk, accounting for over half of meningococcal disease cases (195 out of 364) reported since 2019.
Māori and Pacific peoples are the ethnic groups most at risk, accounting for over half of meningococcal disease cases (195 out of 364) reported since 2019.
Students entering university and boarding schools are advised to vaccinate against meningococcal disease, with 15-24-year-olds recording the highest cases this year.
The Meningitis Foundation urges a free vaccination programme for all adolescents, highlighting high risks for Māori and Pacific communities.
Meningococcal disease is life-threatening, causing meningitis and septicaemia, with significant risks of death and permanent disabilities.
Thousands of students entering university and boarding schools next year are being advised to ensure they are vaccinated against meningococcal disease, with figures showing the 15-24 age group has recorded the highest number of confirmed cases so far this year.
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon life-threatening bacterial infection causing two serious illnesses: meningitis (an infection of the membranes that cover the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Around one in every 10 patients who contract the disease will die, and up to one in five survivors will have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, amputated limbs and hearing loss.
There are several types, or serogroups, of meningococcal bacteria, including groups A, B, C, W and Y. The most common in New Zealand is meningococcal group B.
Data shows there have been 364 cases of meningococcal disease since 2019. During this time 21 people have died as a result of the disease. The meningococcal B strain has caused up to five deaths each year, including two so far this year.
Māori and Pacific peoples are the ethnic groups most at risk, accounting for over half of meningococcal disease cases (195 out of 364) reported since 2019.
In 2023 and for the 2024 year to October, 15-24-year-olds have recorded the highest number of cases (24) of the seven age groups monitored by ESR. In comparison, infants and those aged between 1 and 5 have recorded 12 and 15 cases respectively during the same period.
While parents are encouraged to immunise infants, schools and parents of teens are also being warned to be vigilant in ensuring that students are immunised against meningococcal disease.
Aleisha Telford, a registered nurse who runs the Meningococcal disease vaccination programme at the University of Otago’s Student Health Services.
Aleisha Telford, a registered nurse who runs the Meningococcal disease vaccination programme at the University of Otago’s Student Health Services, says there is often confusion among parents and students who believe they may have already been protected against the disease.
The Ministry of Health recommends students are vaccinated before they arrive at tertiary education institutions.
“The ministry’s advice is designed to ensure that students have sufficient possible protection as, in line with their guidelines, the meningococcal B vaccine [Bexsero] doses need to be administered eight weeks apart,” she says.
From 1991 to 2007 there was a meningococcal B epidemic with more than 6100 cases and 260 deaths.
During that period there was a short-term vaccination programme with a specific vaccine introduced.
Telford says there seems to be a lack of understanding that this was just a single strain of meningococcal B and that the vaccine created at the time was simply to help us through that epidemic and was not intended to give lifelong protection.
“Those children immunised during that last epidemic are now in our high-risk adolescent age group and it is recommended they are vaccinated again,” she says.
Telford says meningococcal disease is spread through respiratory droplets or throat secretions and it is easily transmitted with students in close contact with one another.
“They are often living and socialising in large groups and take part in behaviours which put them at higher risk such as kissing, sharing drinks or vapes and communal living. This risk is exacerbated because often the early signs of meningitis are mistaken for a cold or other minor illness.
“Symptoms can include a high fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, confusion, sleepiness, sensitivity to bright light, a stiff neck and vomiting.
“It is a hard illness to diagnose and progresses very quickly, so we ask students to make sure they report any illness to medical staff, their friends and parents. We also ask them to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and act immediately if they or someone they know has them. It is easy for this disease to be dismissed as the after-effects of a night out or a teenager simply being rundown but early treatment is crucial for a better outcome.
“When students arrive at university they are often looking after their health for the first time without mum or dad there to check if something isn’t quite right. We encourage parents whose children may have told them they’re unwell to check on them and ensure they have notified their flatmates as well or have sought medical help. Having a vaccination on board provides them with that extra level of protection and provides parents with some peace of mind too.
“At Otago we are always conscious that meningococcal disease could be circulating in the community and we take proactive and precautionary measures which include vaccination clinics, educational campaigns and strict protocols for suspected cases.
The meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero is funded for those 13-25 who are entering their first year of close-living situations such as hostels, boarding schools, halls of residence and the military.
It is also funded as part of scheduled childhood immunisations.
Gerard Rushton knows how devastating meningitis can be after losing his daughter in 2014.
“We would like to see a free vaccination programme against all preventable forms of meningococcal disease made available to every student before they leave school to study, work or enter a trade apprenticeship.
“The Meningitis Foundation wants access to be expanded beyond students entering university halls of residence or boarding schools. The present criteria are too narrow and confusing and fail to reach our most at-risk group, Māori and Pasifika.
“We are concerned at the lack of awareness of the dangers of meningococcal disease among adolescents. We have produced a video targeting secondary students to make them aware of the available vaccines to protect themselves from meningococcal disease when they leave school.
“The foundation is extremely concerned that this high-risk group is still not protected. We encourage parents to ensure their teenagers are as protected as possible when they start university or enter boarding school by having them vaccinated before entering campus.”
