HAVE INFORMED DISCUSSIONS AND MAKE EDUCATED DECISIONS

The conversation guide and helpful resources below can help you start this important conversation with your or your child’s doctor.

Consider this:

Serogroup B was responsible for the most cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Canada from 2012 through 2022.*

Although most people recover, even with appropriate treatment, up to 1 in 10 cases can be fatal, often within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms.

1 in 3 of those who survive may experience lifelong complications, such as hearing loss, mental disabilities, or require limb amputation.

Use this quick guide to discuss MENINGITIS B^† with your healthcare provider, whether for yourself or your child:

Be the one to start the conversation

Even though the decision to vaccinate against meningitis B relies on an important conversation between the healthcare provider and parent/guardian, not all doctors may start it. Be proactive and ask your healthcare provider about meningitis B vaccination, whether for yourself or your child.

Be prepared with all the information

If you aren’t sure whether you or your child has received the meningitis B vaccination, contact your healthcare provider’s office and request the vaccination records for either yourself or your child. It’s important to note that the routine vaccination schedules in most provinces/territories may not include protection against strain B. So even if you or your child already received a meningitis vaccine, it might not be against meningitis B.

If you, as the patient or parent, have not discussed meningitis B vaccination yet, consider bringing it up at the next appointment. If there’s no upcoming appointment, don’t hesitate to schedule one.

Be ready to ask how you can protect yourself or your child

If records confirm that you or your teen have not yet started a meningitis B vaccination series, ask the healthcare provider about vaccination during the appointment.

Vaccination is the most effective measure for preventing meningitis B.

Be diligent about completing the series

Meningitis B vaccination requires more than one dose. After the first dose, don’t wait to schedule an appointment for the next dose, and be sure you or your child keeps the appointment.

Here’s the list, check it twice

To help you prepare for an upcoming appointment, we’ve provided this handy list of discussion points. Don’t miss your chance to mention meningitis. Be sure to ask about:

How meningitis can spread through certain common behaviours

Early symptoms that can progress quickly

Why there may be higher rates among teens/young adults 15–24 years of age

Whether you or your child could be at risk

* Based on most recent data available.
† Invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B strains.