What is meningitis B?
The meningococcus is a microbe, more specifically a bacterium, causing infrequent but very serious infections, such as meningitis y Sepsis.
It can leave serious sequelae and even end in death.
The causing: 3 organisms.
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Neisseria meningitidis(meningococcus)
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
They are responsible for 70-85% of cases of bacterial meningitis.
Meningitis B It usually manifests between the 3 months and the 6 years oldIn Spain in the last five years there have been between 150-350 cases per year.
Who makes the vaccine?
NovartisThis laboratory has obtained permits for the 'Bexsero' meningitis B vaccine to reach all of Europe. There are a number of stocks that do not meet the expectations of its demand. If it were included in the vaccination schedule and could be manufactured to distribute the quantity of doses, according to the quantitative data of the population of vaccination age, this would not occur. Their applicants, in Canary Islands, are greater than the quantity distributed.
Is this included in the vaccination calendar?
In Spain, noOn the other hand, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) considered it only for hospital use. The 1 of October of 2015 began to be dispensed in pharmacies, under medical prescription. Unlike Spain in the United Kingdom, it does They chose to include it in the health system.
Vaccinate or not?
Due to the risk that its consequences can entail, it is understandable that many specialists recommend it. Unfortunately, many parents, due to its high cost, can not afford this vaccine.In our country anyone can buy it, in pharmacies, always under the recommendation or prescription of a doctor.It is very important this professional approval to confirm that it is suitable for our child.
Why are your stocks exhausted in the pharmacies of the Canary Islands?
Many pediatricians, despite being a vaccine not included in the calendar, they consider it very important to avoid greater evils in a possible contagion of this ailment but this has a consequence: its shortage. Many parents want to prevent their children but at the time that stocks are exhausted it is not possible to find them on our islands. The demand is very high and its manufacture limited.
