Column: Meningitis B vaccine is critical

February 26, 2018

Five years ago this month I lost my daughter, Emily, to meningitis B. Today, I’m encouraging lawmakers in Lansing to take an important step to ensure no one else experiences this kind of heartbreak.

My daughter was a sophomore studying psychology and theater at Kalamazoo College. She had just started her second semester, when she called me complaining about a minor headache. I suggested an aspirin and asked her to let me know how she felt in the morning. That next morning, I received a phone call from the hospital — Emily was already in a coma. She had contracted meningococcal disease and was being rushed into surgery.

My daughter was just 19 when she lost her life to meningitis B. Emily had been vaccinated for meningitis, but was never vaccinated and protected against meningitis B. A vaccine for meningitis B was not yet available in the United States.

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Recommended Immunization Schedules

These schedules list the age or age range when each vaccine or series of shots is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If your child (birth through 6 years old) or adolescent (age 7 through 18 years old) has missed any shots, talk to your child’s doctor about getting back on track.

From birth through 6 years
From 7 through 18 years
For adults (19 years or older)
Catch up schedule
Building Blocks for MI Immunity from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Vaccine Schedule Based On Your Child’s Birthday
Make sure your child is immunized on schedule. For a complete list of recommended immunizations, just select your child’s birth date.
From the CDC

Immunization Tracker
This print-friendly chart helps you track your child’s vaccinations at each appointment.
From the CDC

Request your child’s immunization record

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), is an immunization registry managed by MDHHS and reported to by immunization providers. MCIR allows healthcare providers or individuals to access their immunization records regardless of their location in Michigan. This system also helps to track local and state immunization rates of Michigan residents to ensure immunity to vaccine-preventable illnesses. MCIR is a lifespan registry that includes infant through adult records.

Request a copy of your child’s MCIR record from your doctor’s office or your local health department
Request a copy of your child’s MCIR record from MDHHS department

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Before, during, and after pregnancy protection
When you’re pregnant, you share everything with your baby. That means when you get vaccines, you aren’t just protecting yourself — you are giving your baby some early protection, too. The CDC has guidelines for the vaccines you and your baby need before, during, and after pregnancy.
From the CDC

Get prepared: Before, during, and after your child’s appointment
There are things you can do before, during and after your child’s appointment to make them easier and less stressful for both of you.
From the CDC

Mobile app from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia created a free mobile app called Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know so you can access credible, science-based information from wherever and whenever you need it.

Find your local Michigan public health department or immunization clinic
See the directory of Michigan’s 45 local public health departments for more information on your child’s immunization record and where to get them vaccinated.

Other Vaccination Organizations & Advocates

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines to parents and healthcare professionals.

Shot by Shot
Stories of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases is a collection of stories from people who have been touched by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Voices for Vaccines
Voices for Vaccines is a parent-led organization that supports and advocates for on-time vaccination and the reduction of vaccine-preventable disease.

Seattle Mama Doc: A Blog by Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson
Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson is a practicing pediatrician and the mother of two young boys. She practices at The Everett Clinic in Mill Creek, Washington, is on the medical staff at Seattle Children’s and is a clinical instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington.

Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases
PKIDs’ mission is to educate the public about infectious diseases, the methods of prevention and transmission, the latest advances in medicine, and the elimination of social stigma borne by the infected; and to assist the families of the children living with hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or other chronic, viral infectious diseases with emotional, financial and informational support.

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Column: Meningitis B vaccine is critical

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You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

Recommended Immunization Schedules

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For your appointment

Other Vaccination Organizations & Advocates

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