School Nurses “Making a Splash” to Raise Awareness about Meningococcal Meningitis
Did You Know?
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Those aged 16-21 years are at increased risk of meningococcal meningitis1
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data suggest that vaccine protection against meningococcal meningitis wanes in most teens within 5 years of their receiving a primary dose, so receiving a second vaccination can help provide protection through adolescence1
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The CDC recommends a single dose of vaccine at 11 or 12 years of age, followed by a second dose at 16 to help protect against meningococcal meningitis2
A national survey found that 2 out of 3 mothers do not know about the CDC recommendations for meningococcal prevention.
To help change this statistic, school nurses from across the country are talking to parents/guardians, teachers, students, and healthcare professionals about the dangers of meningococcal meningitis and the importance of taking measures to prevent this rare, but potentially deadly disease.
On May 12, NASN launched a multi-city public health initiative, in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur, as part of the Voices of Meningitis campaign, now in its 6th year. Dara Torres, campaign spokesperson, 12-time Olympic medalist swimmer and mom joined NASN president-elect, Beth Mattey, to share the national survey findings via television and radio interviews.
Since the launch, through events and media interviews, local NASN nurses have visited seven cities to help educate people about meningococcal meningitis and its prevention, including the CDC recommendations.
. . . our program has reached more than 235 million people through events, media interviews, school newsletters and more.
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Dara attended events in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and New York where she challenged local teen swimmers to swim 24 laps in the pool – signifying the 24 hours in which meningococcal meningitis can potentially take a life.3 Overall the events drew a crowd of more than 500, including teens, parents/guardians, local key health and immunization representatives and government officials. Thanks to NASN school nurses Carolina Sandoval, Mamie Coker, Linda Gibbons and Connie Griffin for participating and lending their expertise!
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The campaign also made stops in Raleigh, North Carolina, Kansas City, Missouri and Portland, Oregon with Local Speaker Tour events, garnering nearly another 500 attendees including teens, parents, teachers, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and public health officials. The tour also featured parents who shared their personal stories about losing a child to meningococcal meningitis. Local media interviews were also conducted in all three cities, resulting in more than 10.6 million impressions. Thanks to NASN school nurses Cheryl Blake, Mary Rhodes and Kim Bartholomew for participating and lending their expertise!
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These events and school nurse involvement are taking place at a crucial time. Currently, legislation to require meningococcal vaccination is being voted on in Missouri and in North Carolina, a recent decision was made to require that children receive the first vaccine and second dose. Our events have helped to make a huge impact on raising awareness about these bills.
To date, our program has reached more than 235 million people through events, media interviews, school newsletters and more. And we’re not done yet! The campaign continues with a last stop in Cleveland this September.
To get involved, please visit: NASN.org/VoicesofMeningitis and learn what you can do to help spread the word about the importance of vaccination in preventing meningococcal meningitis and join the conversation online using #DaraSwims and #TeenHealth.
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1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and control of meningococcal disease – recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). 2013;62(2):1-13. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6202a1.htm. Accessed July 31, 2013.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and control of meningococcal disease – recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). 2013;62(2):1-13. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6202a1.htm. Accessed July 31, 2013.
3. World Health Organization. Meningococcal Meningitis. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs141/en/. Accessed July 22, 2014.
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