The Brittany health authorities are launching a vaccination campaign against meningitis B. It targets adolescents aged 11 to 19 in the region of Dinan.
More than 1,000 Breton students will protect themselves against meningitis B. The regional health agency (ARS) of the region launched a massive vaccination campaign on May 11. Organized in 47 municipalities around Dinan (Côtes-d’Armor), it aims to eradicate a strain in circulation in the area. Indeed, several cases were declared in a school establishment of the city.
According to the regional daily West France, at least 1,200 students are getting ready to receive Bexsero, a vaccine against group B meningococci. They will receive the necessary doses in schools. The campaign launched by the health authorities is actually aimed at a larger group: all adolescents aged 11 to 19 who live around Dinan are encouraged to receive the two recommended injections.
Two doses needed
The vaccine can be obtained with a prescription from a nurse or doctor. Two doses are necessary for the protection of people: a first injection, followed by a booster spaced at least 4 weeks apart.
As part of the vaccination campaign, reimbursement is fully ensured by health insurance and complementary health insurance. But the ARS asked pharmacists not to claim out-of-pocket expenses for people who do not have additional coverage. The pharmacies will be directly reimbursed by the ARS.
In total, 47 municipalities are affected by this alert of the ARS. In question: the occurrence of 5 cases of invasive meningococcal infection in establishments of Dinan and Broons in a few months. In both municipalities, a similar subtype was spotted. The circulation being proven, the objective is now to stop its spread.
A toll free number
Also as part of this campaign, the ARS has set up a free toll-free information number, 0 800 35 00 17. Open this Thursday, May 11, it will remain open until May 16. A message was also organized to inform the inhabitants of the region: ars-bretagne-infomeningo@ars.sante.fr. It will be active as of May 12.
As a reminder, group B meningococcus is a very fragile bacterium, which is transmitted by droplets of saliva. It is, on the other hand, incapable of circulating in the external environment or of persisting on surfaces.
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