Immunization
cine is perfectly safe for infants as young as 6 months of age. Because the risk for contracting measles, mumps and/or rubella increases with international travel, the ACIP recommends infants traveling abroad receive the MMR immunization as early as 6 months of age. It is imperative to ensure your children receive the MMR vaccine prior to travel to protect against contracting the illness and then potentially spreading the disease to those in their home communities upon their return.
Meningococcal Vaccine Neisseria Meningitidis is a bacterium found in the back of the nose and throat of ten percent of the population. Meningitis is a very serious condition that can cause permanent brain damage, hearing loss and even death and occurs when these bacteria invade the membranes covering the spinal cord and brain. After infecting the spinal cord and
brain, the bacteria can then enter the bloodstream (known as septicemia) and wreak havoc on blood vessels, causing bleeding into the skin and organs. Septi- cemia can cause permanent disabilities, amputation of fingers, toes and limbs, and can lead to death in only a matter of hours. The ACIP 2015 updates include clarify- ing appropriate dosing schedules for high-risk infants and children. Those con- sidered high-risk include kids: (1) without a spleen/well-functioning spleen, (2) with weakened immune systems and (3) trav- eling to countries where meningococcal disease is prevalent. Students in college have the highest
rate of contracting meningococcal disease due to their close living proximity in dorms and apartments. It is recommended that all preteens
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College students have the highest rate of contracting meningococcal disease
11 to 12 years of age receive the menin- gococcal conjugate immunization and a booster dose at age 16. The booster is recommended because
protection declines in most adolescents within five years. Preteens receiving only the first dose of the meningococcal vac- cine will not have adequate protection during the critical years when there is a very high risk for meningitis. In fact, many colleges are now requiring a meningo- coccal booster before entry. The ACIP recommends that young adults receive the vaccines less than five years before starting higher education. Staying current on ACIP recommenda- tions for immunizations is a great way to take charge of your children’s health care. With the rising rates of immunization- preventable diseases, it is important to protect your children by getting them immunized properly.
Lacey Eden, MS, FNP-C, is an Assistant Teaching Professor and teaches in the graduate program in the College of Nurs- ing at Brigham Young University. She is a primary care provider in a busy pediatric clinic in Draper, UT. Karlen Luthy, DNP, FNP, is an Associate
Professor in the College of Nursing at Brigham Young University and teaches in the graduate program. She is a primary care provider in a clinic in Salem, UT. Brooke Stacey, RN-S, is a busy under-
graduate nursing student at Brigham Young University.
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