Check meningococcal vaccination status, province urges

Manitoba Health officials are urging residents to check that their meningococcal vaccinations, and those of their children, are up to date after several people died from one strain last year.

There has been an increased number of invasive meningococcal disease  caused by the serogroup W strain since December 2023, the provincial government said in a news release Wednesday. There were four deaths and 23 confirmed cases of the serogroup last year. That is about five times the expected number of cases, the release said.

Infants under 12 months old are most at risk, although cases have occurred in all age groups, the province said. To check vaccine eligibility, go online.