Media Release
22 July 2008
MeNZB™ vaccine helped curb an epidemic
The MeNZB™ vaccine has helped curb a devastating epidemic.
Ministry of Health Senior Advisor Public Health Medicine Dr Alison Roberts says New Zealanders have always been told that the vaccine, though effective, may not work for everyone who has it.
"We take very seriously the need to ensure the public has access to full information about the MeNZB™ vaccine. During the campaign, this was provided by advertisements, brochures, consent forms, websites and directly from health professionals."
MeNZB™ consent forms and information booklets told parents that the vaccine protection was expected to last for only a few years but that the exact period of protection was unknown.
“This was the best estimate we had at the time. Ongoing studies will tell us how long protection is likely to last. As more information about effectiveness has become available it has been shared with health professionals because GPs and practice nurses are the people parents turn to for advice and information about immunisation.”
The immunisation website will be updated as new information comes to hand.
A big part of the Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme was educating people about the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and other serious illness in their children and the need to seek medical help fast when in doubt because disease can move extremely quickly and be difficult to diagnose.
The Ministry stressed in its communications materials that no vaccine provided 100 per cent effectiveness and that the public needed to remain vigilant for signs of the disease.
With epidemic strain cases now at the lowest level in a decade, it is clear that the Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme has succeeded in helping to reduce the toll this disease has taken on our communities.
“We must not lose sight of the fact that this is a horrific disease. The MeNZB™ vaccine was developed to help protect against a specific epidemic strain of meningococcal disease and it has acted as a circuit breaker, helping to prevent more cases while the epidemic ran its course.”
Although the MeNZB™ vaccine is no longer routinely offered to babies and pre-schoolers, the vaccine is still available if parents believe their child is at special risk and a GP agrees, or where a GP assesses a child or young person under 20 years old is at special risk and should have the vaccine.
Parents of babies who started their MeNZB™ doses before 1 June 2008 are encouraged to complete the course. The vaccine is also available to some high risk groups such as laboratory workers.
For more information please go to http://www.moh.govt.nz/immunisation
For further inquiries please contact Michelle Quirke, Communications Advisor, 027 286 7055
Questions and Answers
What was the purpose of the Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme?
The Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme was designed to control an epidemic of a specific strain of meningococcal B disease. The MeNZB™ vaccine was used successfully as a circuit breaker, preventing cases of meningococcal disease during the epidemic. Clinical trials suggest that MeNZB™ protection from meningococcal disease may not be long-term, meaning the vaccine may be best used to stop an epidemic rather than for a long-term schedule vaccine.
What were parents told about MeNZB™ vaccine protection?
The MeNZB™ consent form told parents “We expect that most people who receive three doses will be protected against this common strain of meningococcal B disease. Protection is expected to last for a few years but the exact period is unknown. As with all vaccines not everyone fully vaccinated will be protected. The MeNZB™ vaccine will not protect against meningococcal A or C or other strains of B. So you still need to watch out for signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease whether you or your child has been vaccinated or not.”
How much did the meningococcal B Immunisation Programme cost?
The Government committed $200 million to the Meningococcal Vaccine Strategy which paid for the development of a strain-specific vaccine, clinical trials and implementation of our biggest mass immunisation campaign for all New Zealanders under 20 years old. A further $22 million was committed so that if necessary, the programme could continue for children aged under five years until mid 2009.
How many New Zealanders were immunised with MeNZB™?
More than one million New Zealanders under the age of 20 years have received one or more doses of MeNZB™ vaccine. In total, 3.4 million doses of vaccine have been given.
What if the epidemic returns in the next few years?
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor meningococcal B disease and will have a supply of MeNZB™ available if disease rates increase substantially.
What do parents need to do now about meningococcal disease?
Even though meningococcal B epidemic strain disease rates are low, the disease is still present. The MeNZB™ vaccine protects against the strain of meningococcal B causing the epidemic, but it will not protect against other strains and may not provide long-lasting protection. This is why New Zealanders still need to watch out for the signs and symptoms of this disease, and seek medical help immediately if they are concerned.
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection. It causes severe illnesses including meningitis (an infection of membranes that cover the brain) and septicaemia (a serious infection in the blood). There are several strains of bacteria which cause meningococcal disease including A, B and C. MeNZB™ vaccine was developed to protect against the strain of meningococcal B causing the New Zealand epidemic.
What are the symptoms?
In the early stages meningococcal disease may look like influenza. It can progress quickly and can be difficult to diagnose.
A baby or child might have a fever:
- be crying or unsettled
- refuse drinks or feeds
- vomit
- be sleepy, floppy or hard to wake
- dislike bright lights
- have a rash or spots.
An adult may have:
- a fever or headache
- a stiff neck, joint pain or aching muscles
- may vomit, be sleepy, confused, delirious or unconscious
- dislike bright lights
- have a rash or spots.