Anyone can get meningitis
However, the incidence rate of IMD (per 100,000 population) in Canada from 2012 to 2022 was highest in infants under 1 year of age, children under 5 years of age, and teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24.
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)* is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening infection. Meningitis B is caused by a group of bacteria known as group B Neisseria meningitidis. Meningitis B can cause an infection of the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It can also cause septicemia, a serious infection of the bloodstream.
IS MENINGITIS B SERIOUS?
Although most people recover, up to 1 in 10 people who get IMD (which can be caused by serogroup B) die, and up to 1 in 3 of those who survive may experience lifelong complications, such as hearing loss, mental disabilities, or require limb amputation.
About 1 in 10 infected with meningitis could die, sometimes within 24 hours
Isn’t protection already in place for me or my child?
Even if you or your child received a meningitis vaccine, there may be missing coverage for meningitis B.
The five most common types/strains of the bacteria that cause IMD are A, B, C, W135, and Y. In Canada, strain B was responsible for the most cases of IMD. Vaccination against meningitis B is not part of your child’s routine vaccination schedule. Your child may be missing protection against meningitis B.
Are you or your loved ones at risk?
Meningitis can affect individuals of any age, but the rate of incidence of IMD in Canada, per 100,000 population, was notably higher in infants under 1 year old, children under 5 years old, and teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24 from 2012 to 2022.
* Invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B strains.
