An increase in serious serogroup Y meningococcal infections has been observed in Quebec since the fall of 2022. The Côte-Nord Public Health Department is therefore launching a catch-up vaccination campaign at the Manikoutai school.
“Young people aged 14 to 18 are the most affected,” we can read in a press release from Krystel Blais, clinical nurse at the Côte-Nord Public Health Department.
Secondary 4 and 5 students at Manikoutai school will be able to receive the meningococcal vaccine free of charge. “Meningococcus is a bacteria that can cause an infection of the coverings of the brain (meningitis) or the blood (meningococcemia),” says Krystel Blais.
She specifies that the vaccine received in secondary 3 protects against meningococcus serogroup C and not Y. This is why the vaccine offered during this catch-up vaccination contains four different serogroups (A, C, Y, W).
The legal age of consent for vaccination and health care being 14 years, young people can consent to vaccination themselves.
The vaccination session will take place on May 14 and 15 at Manikoutai school. The student must have their vaccination record and wear a short-sleeved shirt.
