Virginia is experiencing an outbreak of meningococcal disease. The Norfolk Department of Public Health is offering vaccines to people who may have been connected to a case in this outbreak or have certain medical conditions.
The meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine can help protect against this strain of meningococcal disease.
What is Meningococcal Disease?
Meningococcal disease is a potentially deadly bacterial infection, mainly caused by 5 types of meningococcal bacteria: A – B – C – W – Y. The outbreak in Virginia is caused by type Y. Symptoms can come on fast and include:
It can kill in as little as 24 hours or cause permanent complications: brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities or limb amputations.
People at increased risk for meningococcal disease should make sure they are up-to-date on the MenACWY vaccine.
This includes:
- Anyone with complement component deficiency, an immune disorder
- Anyone taking a type of medicine called a “complement inhibitor” (for example, Soliris® or Ultomiris®)
- Anyone whose spleen is damaged or has been removed, including people with sickle cell disease
- People with HIV
If you begin to experience symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.