Kids’ vaccine slashes meningitis
Rates of pneumococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes around the brain caused by bacteria, dropped 64% in children under age 2 from 1998-1999 to 2004-2005, according to a study in today’s New England Journal of Medicine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for children ages 2 months to 2 years, and for 2- to 5-year-olds who are at increased risk.
The vaccine hasn’t just helped children, though.
With fewer contagious babies to spread germs, fewer older kids and adults are getting sick, says co-author Nancy Bennett, a professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Episodes of pneumococcal meningitis dropped 30% in the overall population, falling from 1.13 cases per 100,000 people to 0.79 cases per 100,000 people.
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