Norrie Matthews is calling on parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against meningitis B before the school year begins, more than two years after his son tragically passed away from the disease. Meningitis B is a rare but dangerous form of meningitis that can lead to severe complications. Kai Matthews, a kinesiology student at Acadia University, succumbed to the disease in June 2021, despite his parents believing he had been vaccinated in Grade 7. Young people and students living in communal settings, such as college campuses, are particularly vulnerable to contracting meningitis B due to close contact and sharing personal items. The World Health Organization states that the bacteria responsible for meningitis are transmitted through respiratory or throat secretions. While Kai had received the meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine, which protects against other strains of meningitis, a separate vaccine is required for meningitis B, which can be costly and requires a visit to a family physician. In response to Kai’s death, the Matthews family established a non-profit organization called BforKai.com to raise awareness about meningitis B and advocate for its inclusion in routine immunization programs for schoolchildren. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have since announced that they will provide meningitis B immunization to eligible post-secondary students living in residence. Infants and young adults are particularly susceptible to meningitis due to underdeveloped immune systems and close contact in daycare or school environments. Meningitis is typically caused by viral or bacterial infections, and different strains exist, including A, B, C, Y, and W. Health Canada notes that most cases of infection in Canada since 1993 can be attributed to the B and C strains. College campuses are often hotspots for meningitis outbreaks because the close contact and behavior changes associated with university life facilitate the spread of the bacteria. Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or has close contact with others. Once contracted, meningitis B can rapidly evolve and cause severe complications or even death in previously healthy individuals. Symptoms include fever, headache, neck pain, body aches, sensitivity to light, vomiting, and a skin rash. Meningitis B outbreaks have occurred on Canadian campuses, resulting in hospitalization and fatalities. Kai Matthews tragically passed away less than two days after contracting the bacteria, and his family is still unsure how he became infected. They express frustration with the healthcare system, as Kai’s symptoms were initially misdiagnosed, leading to delays in appropriate treatment. It is crucial for parents to be aware of the risk of meningitis B and ensure their children are vaccinated to prevent such devastating outcomes.
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