Information for parents, teachers and childcare workers
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious infection that mainly affects young children, teenagers and young adults.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease may include a combination of:
- sudden onset of fever
- pin-prick rash changing to large red-purple blotches
- cold hands and feet
- sore joints and muscles
- nausea and vomiting
- headache
- neck stiffness
- dislike of bright lights
- tiredness
Babies and very young children may:
- be irritable
- have difficulty waking
- have a high-pitched cry
- refuse to eat.
A rash does not always appear and not all of the symptoms of meningococcal disease may be present at once. Anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care as this can be life-saving.
Meningococcal vaccine was given to many school children from 2003 to 2005 and is now routinely given to babies at 12 months of age.
Even if you or your child have been vaccinated against meningococcal disease, it's important to be on the look out for symptoms because the vaccine does not cover all strains of the disease.
Free meningococcal C vaccine is still available from NSW general practitioners for any students who have not been vaccinated. If you are not sure if your child has been vaccinated, it's safe to repeat the vaccine.
For more detailed information on meningococcal disease see the meningococcal factsheet or call your local public health unit for further information