Uruguay vaccinates school community after child's meningococcus death

Uruguay's Ministry of Public Health (MSP) has initiated an "exceptional" vaccination campaign for students and staff at a Montevideo school and its adjacent kindergarten following the death of an 11-year-old girl from meningococcal disease. The deceased student attended School No. 102, and the neighboring Kindergarten No. 374 is also included in the measure.

Pablo Caggiani, president of the National Public Education Administration (ANEP), confirmed that families have been informed and parental authorization forms are being distributed for children to receive the meningococcus vaccine. The vaccination effort will also encompass teachers and support staff at both educational centers. This proactive step aims to curb potential further transmission of the bacteria within the school community.

The incident has raised concerns, particularly as this is the second case of meningococcus reported at the same school this year. The young victim was unvaccinated, despite being eligible for the free MenFive vaccine, which protects against five serogroups of the disease. Meningococcus serogroup C is reportedly the most prevalent in Uruguay.

Nationally, this is the sixth death attributed to meningococcus this year, double the number recorded in the previous year. With 21 cases reported so far, the incidence is higher than at the same point last year. In response to this "unusual increase," the MSP has expanded free access to the MenFive vaccine for all adolescents aged 11 to 12 who have not previously been vaccinated. Additionally, 300,000 doses of meningococcal vaccines have been purchased for approximately $1.3 million, with the first shipments expected next month.