Meningococcol Campaign

The Home Life Department Special Project
Meningococcal Meningitis Campaign

The Woman's Club of Raleigh has partnered once again with the Department of Health and Human Services, Immunization Division, and Wake County Medical Society to create a Public Service Announcement and statewide campaign to promote the understanding and importance of vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis.  We filmed on Saturday December 17th, 2005 at Meredith College, Raleigh.  The following pictures are from the film shoot that day.

BACKROUND: Meningococcal meningitis is a serious, potentially fatal bacterial infection that strikes nearly 3,000 Americans annually.  In particular, adolescents and young adults are at increased risk of contracting meningococcal meningitis. However, the majority of cases among adolescents may be vaccine-preventable.

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Meningococcal meningitis is contagious.  The disease is transmitted through air droplets and direct contact with infected persons (e.g., coughing, kissing or sharing utensils, drinking glasses, cigarettes, etc.). Left untreated, the disease can progress rapidly, often within hours of the first symptoms, and can lead to shock, death or serious complications, including hearing loss, brain damage, kidney disease or limb amputations. 

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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the CDC on national vaccination policy, has developed new recommendations calling for routine meningococcal meningitis immunization for young adolescents at the pre-adolescent visit (11-12 year olds), adolescents at high school entry and college freshmen living in dormitories.

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The PSA that the Enloe High School students film is designed to educate their fellow high school students of the dangers of meningococcal disease and to encourage their peers to receive the vaccination to protect themselves against the disease.