Confederation Of Meningitis Organisations (Como)

Dutch experts in the field of pediatric infectious diseases and vaccines have warned that in order to be able to intervene earlier in outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis in the Netherlands, the government must relax the standards for introducing vaccines.

"On the 25 February 2004, our healthy 20-year-old daughter, Becky, died unexpectedly from meningitis. Becky's death was, and continues to be, an unfathomable concept. We still cannot grasp the idea that she is gone and that we are facing the rest of our lives without her."
Read Bob and Dee Dee's heartbreaking story below.

BREAKING NEWS!!! 14 to 19 year olds living in Australia will receive the Men ACWY vaccine for free under a new government initiative!
The vaccine will be added to the National Immunisation Schedule from April 2019 and provided to students under a school-based program.

"When Tey awoke on the Sunday he assumed he was suffering the effects of a particularly nasty hangover that he needed to sleep off. So there he stayed, in bed, in his own room with no clue as to how seriously ill he was."
A British woman who lost her son to meningitis during his first few weeks at university has asked parents to make sure that their child has received a Men ACWY vaccine before attending university.

After a recent series of cases of meningococcal disease in children under five, health authorities in Western Australia are urging parents to take advantage of a free vaccine program that ends in three months.
So far this year, 12 children under five have been admitted to hospital with meningococcal disease, compared with 14 for all of last year.

The lack of new antibiotics coupled with their overprescription has led to bacteria becoming increasingly resistant, leaving some medicines less effective, which in turn puts people at greater risk of dying from common infections.
Antibiotic resistance is said to be one of the biggest threats to human health today.
Find out more below.

Lynn was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to fighting meningitis.
“Lynn was passionate about NMA’s mission to protect our children through meningococcal and other vaccines,” said Leslie Maier, Secretary/Treasurer of NMA. According to NMA Director Lori Buher, “Lynn worked tirelessly for NMA until just weeks before her death. She left NMA in a strong place and our Board and national network of advocates will continue to advance NMA and its mission in Lynn’s memory.”
Our thoughts are with Lynn's family and friends at this very sad time.

Meningitis Awareness Week is coordinated by Meningitis Research Foundation and aims to improve public understanding of meningitis and septicaemia. To mark the week, MRF have written a blog post on why meningitis awareness matters! Check it out below.

Three different schools in Mid-Michigan have confirmed that there have been cases of viral meningitis. The districts say all classrooms and buses have undergone deep cleaning and that school in now back in session.
Immunisation and good hand washing practises can help protect against viral meningitis.

"If there is anything that you take home from this story, it’s to please, please learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis and not to ignore them. This story could have so easily have been written by my mum, talking about the 20-year-old daughter she used to have."
Read Emma's inspiring story below.

9 month old Amy was diagnosed with an ear infection and sent home with some medicine - 2 days later, she was diagnosed with sepsis and peneumococcal meningitis.
Amy's mum is now backing a plea from Meningitis Research Foundation, which calls for more urgency and monitoring to ensure that parents receive the right advice about potential bacterial meningitis and sepsis #MAW18 #TrustYourInstincts

This week is Meningitis Awareness Week in the UK, which is run by Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).
Today, MRF have released a new report which highlights that around half (49%) of children who have meningitis are sent home after their first visit to a GP and not admitted to hospital. If you suspect the signs and symptoms of meningitis, we urge you to seek immediate medical attention, even if you have already seen a doctor.

Sepsis is an emergency. Learn what sepsis is, and how to identify and treat it in this 3-min video.

Mischelle Rhodes, a 19 year old university student from Australia, has died from meningococcal disease. Our thoughts are with Mischelle's friends and family.

"My name is Nathalie and I live with my family in Beirut, Lebanon. Alexandra, my daughter, is 4 years old. She has had her vaccines against meningitis type A, C, W but she contracted type B."

Today is World Sepsis Day!
Knowing the symptoms of sepsis can save lives - share this infographic and raise awareness!

Sepsis can be caused by any type of infection: bacterial, viral, fungal, or even parasitic. Many infections can be prevented simply by good and consistent hygiene. Others can be prevented through the use of vaccinations.

Tomorrow is World Sepsis Day!
Sepsis accounts for at least 8 million deaths worldwide annually. However, sepsis can be prevented by vaccination, and early recognition and treatment reduces sepsis mortality by 50%.
Find out more here - www.world-sepsis-day.org

“A lot of people think that it’s a child’s disease but it’s really not, I was 30."
CoMO member Sarah's Recovery shares her story to help raise awareness of the importance of vaccination and knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis.

Angie Roman, Krystal Arsaga, Matt Barsotti & Janelle Barsotti... thought you all might be interested in this page!!