How Many More CHILDREN?
Our CHILDREN are dying or left with disabilities
as a result of getting meningitis.
Please sign our petition to protect our CHILDREN
When it comes to meningitis, babies and young adults are the most vulnerable age groups. Recent figures from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases for 2014-15 show that there have been 348 cases of confirmed Meningococcal Meningitis in South Africa. Of those that contract the disease, around 10% die and of the remaining survivors 25% go on to develop debilitating life-long disabilities, such as loss of limbs, loss of sight, cerebral palsy and epilepsy, placing a huge strain on the economy and families.
In 2015, we were delighted by the release of the first vaccine against Meningococcal Meningitis (Menactra). The problem we are faced with is the often prohibitive cost to the people of South Africa. The cost ranges from R600 – R800 with a doctor’s prescription, meaning it is inaccessible for large sectors of society. We are calling for the South Africa Ministry of Health to introduce this vaccine into the routine schedule, providing essential protection for babies and teens. This next step is essential in preventing meningitis, which as you know, can kill or disable in a matter of hours.
Our goal at the Meningitis Association of South Africa is to prevent meningitis nationwide, because we can and we should. We sadly know first-hand the devastating effects of meningitis. The agony of losing a child or watching as they are permanently disabled by a vaccine-preventable disease is difficult to express. Although meningitis is a relatively rare disease its effects can be brutal and devastate entire families. No one can put a price on the life of a human being, especially a child with the potential for a bright future.

My 3 year old daughter Chelsea died of this terrible disease in 2010, but meningitis is a vaccine-preventable disease!
Please help to stop other children dying.
Deidré Fredericks(Founder of Meningitis Association of SA)