More than 25,000 young Northlanders have been jabbed in a mass vaccination campaign against the killer disease meningococcal C.
An outbreak of the potentially deadly disease has left three Northlanders dead since July and prompted the Northland District Health Board to roll out the vaccination campaign aimed at inoculating upto 40,000 people aged between 12 months and 20 years across the region.
DHB medical officer of health Clair Mills said the free meningococcal C vaccination programme is entering its final push with 25,000 young people receiving the jabs so far.
Dr Mills said the vaccination programme - which ends on December 16 - aims to control the outbreak of meningococcal C disease in Northland and while the numbers inoculated are encouraging, it is getting very close to the end of the programme.
"We are very clear about the end date for this programme. After December 16, the vaccination will no longer be free of charge, and it is not cheap. So take advantage of this opportunity as this disease is in our community, and vaccination is your best protection," she said.
Dr Mills is concerned some people in the community believe that if their children have had the MeNZB vaccination, they are protected from Meningococcal C disease. This is not the case, as the two bugs are different.
"The vaccine we are offering will provide protection from meningococcal C disease and is a different vaccine from the MeNZB vaccine given in 2004-5 to control the Type B epidemic. MeNZB only protected against Type B and does not protect against Type C.
"It is really important to be very clear that this is a completely different vaccine, for control of this outbreak now," Dr Mills said.
Anyone who is yet to be vaccinated should contact their GP or visit one of the Northland DHB Community Clinics.
Dr Mills said meningococcal disease could be difficult to diagnose and anyone with symptoms should seek medical attention without delay, as early treatment was important.
"If, despite earlier treatment, your condition deteriorates, don't hesitate to seek medical attention again," she said.
Symptoms could include a high fever, headache, vomiting, an infant's refusal of food, sleepiness, a stiff neck and dislike of or sensitivity to bright lights, joint and muscle pains, and a rash.
Anyone who is concerned about meningococcal disease, or about the vaccination programme, can talk to a public health nurse on the NDHB 0800 meningococcal information phone line - 0800 430 123 or should contact their doctor.
