School nurses and families affected by a potentially deadly form of meningitis today launched a national consumer education initiative, called Voices of Meningitis. The initiative strongly urges parents to vaccinate preteens and teens, who are at greater risk of getting meningococcal disease, including meningococcal meningitis -- a rare, but serious bacterial infection.
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) has joined with parents, survivors of meningococcal meningitis, and actress and mother Lori Loughlin (the new 90210, Full House) to increase awareness of this potentially devastating disease that can take the life of a child in just a single day.
"Many parents are unaware their preteen and teenage children are at risk for meningitis, and that vaccination is recommended to help protect preteens and teens 11 through 18 years of age and college freshmen living in dormitories," said Sandi Delack, president, National Association of School Nurses.
"School nurses are at the forefront of ensuring families in our communities know about meningococcal meningitis and vaccination -- which is at the heart of our new Voices of Meningitis initiative," said Delack. "The national campaign aims to educate parents of preteens and teens about this disease and the importance of prevention."
Voices of Meningitis is a multi-year initiative comprising widespread national and regional awareness activities to encourage parents to consider vaccination for their preteen and teenage children. The initiative encompasses a multitude of national media and public service activities, including television and radio public service announcements featuring Lori Loughlin. The program also will equip thousands of school nurses throughout the U.S. with comprehensive messages and educational materials to reach communities with this important health message.
In addition, Voices of Meningitis offers a comprehensive Web site, where visitors can hear the compelling stories of families that have been personally affected by meningitis and access information about the disease and the importance of vaccination.