The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is hosting vaccine clinics for younger children to offer updated protection against meningococcal disease.
One-year-old children previously received a vaccine that offered protection against one type of the bacteria. An updated vaccine covers four types of the bacteria. The updated vaccine is recommended for 12-month-old infants and kids born between Jan. 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2023.
The WRHA said in a news release Thursday that the updated vaccine is not new and is used as a routine vaccine for kids in Grade 6. Health-care providers began offering the updated vaccine for younger children in March.
Kids who received the previous vaccine can still get the updated one.
The first clinic is on Saturday, and the last is May 16. The list of dates and locations is available here.
Children younger than five years old are at the greatest risk of severe illness from the bacterial infection. Meningococcal disease is rare but can cause long-term problems such as brain damage, developmental delay and long-term disability from severe complications.
“Meningococcal disease is a very serious illness which can cause swelling of the brain. Children can become very ill, requiring hospitalization,” WRHA public health physician Dr. Lerly Luo said in the release. “One in 10 cases may end in death, even with prompt medical treatment. That’s why vaccination is so important to protect our young children.”
Appointments can be made here or by calling 1-844-626-8222. Walk-in service is also available at the public vaccine clinics, and family doctors and pediatricians can also provide the shots at their own offices.
The WRHA is also offering measles vaccines at the public clinics for children who are not up to date.
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