Meningitis B in Nova Scotia

In the past 18 months, three Nova Scotian university students have passed away from MenB. Meningitis B is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever, and a stiff neck. It is essential to seek immediate medical care if you suspect that you or someone in your family has meningitis.

At the beginning of January, StFX sent out an email regarding the sad news and some education on MenB. StFXs email read, “before the holidays we were saddened to learn of two cases of meningococcal disease connected to Dalhousie University's student community, resulting in one death and one hospitalization.” It continues with, “Nova Scotia Public Health officials have reported that there is no indication of increased risk to the general public.” The email explains that “most university-aged students have been vaccinated against several strains of meningitis in the course of their routine childhood vaccinations; however, Meningitis B is not covered in this vaccination protocol in Nova Scotia.” Additionally, StFXs email mentions the organization BForKai, a foundation in honor of Kai, a 19-year-old that was studying Kinesiology at Acadia, who passed from Meningitis B.

I spoke with Norrie Matthews, Kai's father, who has, since his son's passing, made it his mission to educate and advocate on awareness and vaccinations for MenB. I learned that Meningitis B is the most common and most deadly strain of Meningitis. 1 in 5 people who contract Meningitis B can experience permanent complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, neurological disorders, limb loss and, shockingly, 1 in 10 cases of MenB can be fatal. Maybe most notably, post-secondary students are 5 times more likely to contract Meningitis B.

There is a huge misconception amongst Nova Scotians and other Canadians that they are already vaccinated against Meningitis B. In Nova Scotia, the publicly funded vaccine program currently provides monovalent meningococcal C vaccine at 12 months of age and as part of the Grade 7 school immunization program with the quadrivalent meningococcal A, C, Y, W135 vaccine. They do not fund or administer the Meningitis B vaccine.  Norrie said years ago, he himself was not aware that this was not included in the Nova Scotia vaccine program. When Kai was younger, he had watched a news story with his wife about a student passing from MenB and had told his wife he was thankful Kai had been vaccinated against meningitis, not knowing that meningitis B was not included in Nova Scotia’s vaccine program.

Because of Kai’s family’s advocacy, the StFX’s Students’ Union health insurance covers the cost of the vaccine. StFX employee health insurance also covers the cost for this vaccine, and the BForKai foundation is what pushed Nova Scotian universities to include this in their health plans.

When I asked Norrie what students at StFX can do to support BForKai, he noted that it isn’t just important to consider getting the vaccine, but it is also important to push the government to do more. On the BForKai website, there is a tool to find your local member of the legislative assembly. It will then help generate an email for you to send them. The email generates a message that pushes the Nova Scotia government to add the Meningitis B vaccine to the province's publicly funded vaccination program. Additionally, there is a link to sign a petition to join the fight to make Meningitis B vaccinations routinely administered to Nova Scotians. Lastly, there is a link to donate to the IWK BforKai Trust with the IWK Foundation. The funds are to support Meningitis B research, awareness, education, and training programs.

The most recent StFX Students’ Union Debate highlights the lack of knowledge surrounding Meningitis B. Some members of the current Students’ Union in the debate were not even aware that StFX’s Students’ Union health insurance covered the cost of the vaccine. Additionally, many students still believe they are vaccinated against it, even though they are not for the MenB strain. Ultimately, I encourage all StFX students to visit the BForKai website to educate themselves and consider getting vaccinated against MenB. StFX students can book an appointment at the Health and Counseling Centre if they are interested in getting vaccine.