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Preteens and adolescents need vaccines to
protect them from serious illnesses.
Immunizations begin at birth and continue
throughout life. These shots are an important
step to maintain your child's health.
Meningococcal disease (meningitis) is a serious
illness caused by bacteria which infects the
blood or tissues around the brain and spinal
cord.
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This germ can be spread from person to person by
close contact.
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Common symptoms include a fever, rash, headache
or stiff neck.
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It can lead to brain damage, disability and
death.
Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) can protect
children and adolescents from this disease.
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This vaccine is usually given to 11-12 year olds
(6th graders)*.
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Because it is a newer vaccine, older adolescents
may not have received it. Teens that have
not had meningococcal vaccine should be given a
dose.
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Ask yow' child's health care provider if he/she
needs meningococcal vaccine.
To obtain meningococcal vaccine and other
immunizations for your child, see your child's
health care provider or yow local health
department
For more information about meningococcal vaccine
or other immunizations talk to your child's
health care provider or call your local health
department. Information is also available
at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) website:
www.cdc.gov/nip
There are vaccines that can protect preteens
and adolescents from other serious diseases.
6th graders & teens need the following shots if
they have not already received them:
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1 dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4)*
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1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis
vaccine (Tdap)
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3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine (hep B)
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2 doses of measles mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR)
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1 or 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine (var), if
they did not have the disease
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At least.3 doses of polio vaccine (IPV or OPV)
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Some children & teens may need hepatitis A and
flu vaccine
* As of May 19, 2006, vaccination of children
11-12 years of age is currently deferred due to
limited supply of meningococcal conjugate
vaccine (MCV4)" High school freshmen and college
freshmen living in a dormitory, who have not
previously received MCV4 may be vaccinated
during this time of limited supply.
The Michigan Department of Education, in
cooperation with the Michigan Department of
Community Health, is required by law (2005 PA
240, MCL 380 1177a) to develop and make
available to schools information on
Meningococcal Meningitis. Ver 3 May 23,
2006
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