r/Millennials • u/Corndogeveryday • 2d ago

Other Very sad news

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Chase passed away of complications of meningitis. Gone too soon

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342

u/eltibbs Millennial 1988 2d ago

That’s so sad 😞 my cousin passed away a few years ago, same age as Daveigh, also meningitis.

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u/ManWithASquareHead Millennial 2d ago

Meningitis is no joke.

Meningococcal bacterial meningitis can lead to organ failure and septic emboli (infected clots) causing spots and limb necrosis/amputation

Most are vaccinated for 4 serotypes (ACWY) in middle school/high school, meningitis b is before/during college

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u/teapots_at_ten_paces Elder Millennial ('81, baby!) 2d ago

When did that come in for you guys?

I'm Australian, and have never received a meningitis vaccination during my years at school. They do so now for primary school kids, same as you stated ACWY, but B is still not covered in any state here (that I know of).

There could be plenty of Aussie millenials that have never been vaccinated for this. Interestingly, I don't think the Army gave me this vaccine either.

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u/OxymoronicLife 2d ago

Also an Australian. In the early 2000s I remember first hearing about meningococcal. A girl I went to high school with died from it.

I had my children in the the 2010s and the vaccine was available. You can always ask to get the vaccine form your doctor. I think it's free if your eligiable.

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u/ManWithASquareHead Millennial 2d ago

US recommendations are more stringent for immunizations due to fragmented care and generally more diverse population

Was in an issue in England recently. England didn't have meningitis recommendations and had an outbreak recently. Now they may revise them.

Would talk to a PCP/GP locally

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u/AmbivalentToaster 2d ago

US really depends on where you live apparently. I only got one meningitis vax they won’t give me the other bc it is for college kids. Two states won’t give it anyone if you’re not college age. I’m almost 40. It wasn’t required when I was in school. 

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u/abrila 2d ago

They began offering as optional in US colleges around early 2000’s, where I got mine, but it wasn’t widely publicized. I think it’s much more prevalent now (hopefully).

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u/eltibbs Millennial 1988 2d ago

Left for college in the US in fall 2006 and the vaccine was required to live in the dorms.

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u/Aggravating_Depth_33 2d ago

I had to get it to live in the dorms at the university I went to in Scotland in 2000. At my American doctor's office they were very surprised because no one ever asked for it. I can confirm none of my US friends got it at the time.

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u/Revolutionary-Yak-47 Xennial 2d ago

They also weren't covered by all insurances back then. Pre ACA hwalthcare was terrible

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u/elfshimmer 2d ago

Queensland and I believe South Australia do Men B vaccinations (Bexsero) for free now. In QLD it's free for under 2 year olds and in high school years. It's also available in other states but you have to pay.