WRHA offers meningococcal vaccine clinics – Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority hosts vaccine clinics for young children to offer updated protection against meningococcal disease.

One-year-old children have previously received a vaccine against a type of bacteria. The updated vaccine contains four types of bacteria. The updated vaccine is recommended for infants 12 months of age and children born between January 1, 2020 and February 28, 2023.

WRHA said in a press release Thursday that the updated vaccine is not new and is used as a routine vaccine for children in 6th grade. Health care providers began offering the updated vaccine for young children in March.

Children who have received a previous vaccine can still receive an updated vaccine.

The first clinic is on Saturday, and the last one is on May 16. A list of dates and locations is here.

Children under the age of five are at greatest risk of serious illness from bacterial infections. Meningococcal disease is rare, but can cause long-term problems such as brain damage, developmental delays, and long-term disability from severe complications.

“Meningococcal disease is a very serious disease that causes swelling of the brain. Children are very sick and require hospitalization,” said Dr. Lerly Luo, WRHA public health physician. “One in 10 cases can end in death, even with timely medical care. That's why vaccination is so important to protect our young children.”

You can make an appointment here or by calling 1-844-626-8222. State vaccine clinics also have walk-in services, and family doctors and pediatricians can administer vaccinations in their offices.

WRHA also provides measles vaccines to children in government clinics that are not up-to-date.

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