Infant Meningitis Awareness Blog Tour

Ten years ago, I was working in an insurance company and enjoying a typical day of people calling to complain that their auto insurance was too expensive. Suddenly, from the back of the room, I heard a a heart wrenching scream that has haunted me from that day on.  I turned to see one of my coworkers, practically collapsing to the arms of our team leader.  She had just had a call that any parent or grandparent dreads. Her little grandson, barely two years old, had been rushed to the hospital with a high fever. But it was too late when they got him there. He died that day of meningitis.

The mother of that little boy had also been a acquaintance of mine from high school. My heart broke for the whole family. It was one of the most tragic events to touch my life. And even for survivors, life after meningitis can be a challenge.  Many survivors are left blind, deformed, suffer amputation, seizures, or brain damage.   Luckily, things have changed a lot in the last ten years. Today, we can protect our children so that no one else will have to go through the horrible grief that this family experienced.  Meningitis can be prevented with a simple vaccination.  My five month old just had his second round on Monday at his well visit.  At first, my husband didn't want him to get the shot. He is a little paranoid and swears that shots can hurt the children more than they can help them. I reminded him that it wasn't so long ago that hundreds of children died from the diseases that vaccinations now prevent. Like everything else, there is always a small risk of side effects, but the benefits far outweigh the small chance of reactions.  So I won the argument and our son was  given his meningitis shot right along with all the other shots for polio, measles, mumps etc. It is a quick, easy and convenient option that can give you peace of mind.


You can help us protect our youngest citizens against the death and disfigurement caused by meningitis. Voice your support for infant immunization. Just sign the (PIN) Protect Infants Now petition and you can help this important vaccination become available throughout America. Your input will help the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend this vaccine as part of children's regular regimen. If you would like to learn more about meningitis, including the symptoms and how it can be prevented with a simple vaccination, you can visit MegingitisAngels.org.  You can also find ways to donate to help the survivors of this horrible disease. Help to spread awareness. Let people know that this disease can be prevented. Together, we can help to wipe out meningitis so no other family will have to lose a child.



***I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central and Meningitis Angels. This campaign was made possible in part through support provided by Novartis Vaccines. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name from Mom Central as a thank-you for participating. All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.***