September 28, 2001

Mass meningitis vaccinations

Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — By December, Quebec plans to vaccinate 1.7 million young people against meningitis. In Nunavik, the vaccination campaign — aimed at people aged two to 20 — starts Oct. 1.

Children up to 14 need a signed parental-consent form to receive the vaccination, which will be given at schools, community clinics and nursing stations.

The vaccination is not obligatory, but public health officials are advising parents to have their children vaccinated.

Public-health statistics show that the rate of meningitis in Nunavik is six times higher than elsewhere in Quebec.

The vaccine will protect children against type C meningitis. Some of the 11 meningitis cases reported in Nunavik from 1990 to 2000 were type C.