Pediatric Meningitis Vaccine Approved
A meningitis vaccine already in use has now been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent pediatric meningitis in children as young as nine months old. The Menactra vaccine had previously been approved for use in people 2 years to 55 years old.
Meningitis is caused by bacteria that infect the bloodstream and lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. According to U.S. News & World Report, even with treatment, as many as 15 percent of people who contract meningitis die, and as many as 20 percent of those who survive suffer complications including brain damage.
Infants are particularly susceptible to meningitis, and may die within hours of contracting the illness. Because of the severity of harm and rapid onset of the illness, pediatricians are trained to diagnose infants quickly. Some clinical signs of infection include high-pitched crying, arching the back, staring and loss of appetite.
If a health care provider does not meet the standard of care in diagnosing and treating meningitis, he or she may be liable for medical malpractice.
