Parents, I ask that you review this message from last week. My latest communication with Institut Pasteur is that they are expecting to have the meningococcal vaccine in the beginning of May: Please receive this important message and make sure you and your family's vaccinations, both routine and country-specific, are up-to-date. Remember, it is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it after it occurs. Many illnesses that are common, or endemic, in Senegal can be prevented by vaccinations. One such illness is meningococcal meningitis. Senegal is one of almost 20 countries in the "meningitis belt" of sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalent season for meningitis in Senegal is during the dry season, in the months of December through June. We have confirmed with the US Embassy Health Unit in Dakar that there is currently an increase of cases of meningitis in some countries within the meningitis belt region. Senegal is not seeing an increase in meningitis cases at this time, but because Senegal is within this region, it is very important to be sure you and your family's meningitis vaccinations are up-to-date. Here is what you need to know:
http://www.pasteur.sn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=96 https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/meningococcal-disease https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/meningococcal-disease https://www.cdc.gov/travel-static/yellowbook/2016/map_3-11.pdf https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/children.extended_student/senegal?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001 Cheers to you and your family's health, Nurse Jen *****UPDATE 4/21/17 at 1730: If you are seeking the vaccine please call the facility before you go to ensure availability. I was just informed by Institut Pasteur that the vaccine is unavailable right now as they await a delivery from Europe. If you are seeking the vaccine I would advise to call Institut Pasteur or your particular pharmacy ahead of time and inquire about availability.***** |
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