The universal and free supply of the Vaccine against the Type B meningitis to the students of Patras is requested by the competent authorities by the Panhellenic Federation of Freedom-Professionals, after the death of a 20-year-old student of lightning meningitis.

“Our country has to enhance its vaccination policy, especially for diseases with such serious consequences,” pediatricians stress and suggest parents of children attending Patras to immediately vaccinate their children with the Baby -type vaccine.

“We were deeply saddened by the loss of a 20 -year -old student in Patras by meningococcal disease. In recent years we have witnessed multiple cases of meningitis in the area, including the severe amputation of a student. These tragic events highlight the urgent need to take precautionary measures to protect young people who live and study in the city, “pediatricians stress.

Meningococcal disease, though rarely, develops rapidly and can be fatal or cause serious disabilities. The most effective way of prevention is vaccination with available vaccines, covering the main stems of meningococcus (A, C, W, Y and B), pediatricians emphasize.

They add that “in many countries in Europe and the US, vaccination is a prerequisite for student registration, especially those who live in student halls. In Greece, on the other hand, students’ vaccination is not a prerequisite for enrollment in universities, leaving many new people exposed to a serious infectious factor. “

Suggested measures:

– Immediate and free vaccination of all students in Patras with the corresponding vaccine, given the increased circulation of meningococcus in the area for the last two years.

– Information campaign to parents and students on the value and importance of vaccination and the dangers of the disease.

– Mandatory vaccination coverage as a condition of registration in Higher Education Institutions, in accordance with international practices.

– Expanding vaccination against Type B meningitis and for the age group of 15-24 years, with free vaccine.

– Strengthening preventive medicine in universities, including checking the students’ vaccination status when registering. “

Pediatricians note that the preventive administration of antibiotics of the close cases of cases, while in the right direction, is not sufficient to stop the spread of the disease (a prophylactic treatment had been administered last year due to cases in Patras). “Only with the widespread and timely immunization of students (vaccination) can we protect lives and reduce the dispersion of the disease,” they conclude.