Otago Meningococcal campaign hits 60% for dose 1

29 June 2005

Otago Meningococcal campaign hits 60% for dose 1

The Otago Meningococcal B Immunisation Campaign has passed another major milestone with 26,462 doses of the vaccine given. This represents almost 60% of the target group.

As of early today June 29, 18,647 school students have been vaccinated through the school-based programme. 7815 babies and children under five and young people who have left school aged between 16 and 20, have been vaccinated through general practices throughout Otago.

The campaign aims to vaccinate 90% (45,000) of the nearly 50,000 children and young people in Otago.

Otago meningococcal B Campaign Sponsor Dr Roy Morris said the Otago campaign was largely on track, although the data was not yet available to determine whether there were groups in the community who were slow to take up the vaccine.

The campaign will focus in the coming weeks on young people who have left school and are under 20. This is the group most hardest to reach with the campaign messages.

There are an estimated 9000 young people aged 16-19 in Otago who have left school.

ENDS

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