Liv Ullmann, Gary Springer and Nick Springer

NATIONAL MENINGITIS
Did You Vaccinate Your Children
Against This Dreaded Disease?

L

ENORE COONEY reports that in just 20 years we have seen enormous progress in the U.S. in the prevention of the major causes of meningitis. Until 1991, when an effective vaccine became available, Haemophilus Influenza type B (Hib) caused 12,000 cases of bacterial meningitis each year and was the leading cause of acquired mental retardation.

"An effective vaccine against Hib disease is now routinely given to every infant," she said at a gala celebration of the National Meningitis Association (NMA) in April at the New York Athletic Club. Ms. Cooney served as chair of the benefit committee along with Sara Herbert-Galloway and Gary Springer.

"We now also have vaccines to prevent meningococcal infection, another cause of severe meningitis. But a third of all adolescents eligible for it have not been fully immunized."

Heather Tufano presented an outstanding service award to her mother, Carol Tufano. Carol is a nurse who got involved with NMA after her daughter was afflicted. "I was frustrated to see this disease so misunderstood," Carol said.

In nursing school 39 years ago, Carol learned that meningococcemia was one of the most dreaded diseases to treat and cure. And 25 years later it hit her family. Her daughter Heather contracted the disease as a college freshman. Carol never left Heather’s bedside for two and a half months in the hospital and throughout her long recovery of learning how to live as an amputee.

Recently Carol watched with great pride as her daughter walked down the aisle at her wedding.

The NMA Health Achievement Award went to Dr. Richard Besser, chief health and medical editor at ABC News. He was honored for educating the public and healthcare professionals on the importance of vaccinations to protect families against preventable illnesses.