Meningococcal Disease Cases Prompt New Immunization Recommendations in Los Angeles County
Meningococcal Disease Cases Prompt New Immunization Recommendations in Los Angeles County
Date: April 9, 2014
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) issued new recommendations last week for vaccination against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in response to eight confirmed IMD cases reported in Los Angeles County since January 1, 2014. Four cases occurred in men who have sex with men (MSM), three of whom were HIV-positive. There were three deaths, all in MSM, including two men who were HIV-positive. Three MSM cases reported residence in or socializing around the West Hollywood and North Hollywood areas. Three MSM cases were between the ages of 27 and 28 years and one was 50 years of age. Three MSM cases were caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C; the other MSM case was caused by serogroup Y. After consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health, LAC DPH recommends the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) for the following groups in Los Angeles:
- All HIV-positive MSM
- All MSM, regardless of HIV status, who regularly have close or intimate contact with multiple partners, or who seek partners through the use of a digital applications (“apps”), particularly those who share cigarettes, marijuana or use illegal drugs
No cases of IMD have been reported among MSM in San Diego County in 2014. Local healthcare providers should discuss the potential benefits of MCV4 vaccination with MSM travelling to Los Angeles County who have one or more of the characteristics described above. MSM traveling to the White Party in Palm Springs (scheduled for April 25 through April 28) may also be candidates for vaccination, as recently recommended by the County of Riverside Department of Public Health. Clusters of IMD in MSM have also been reported in other locations, including New York City and various cities in Europe, and vaccination may be considered for MSM planning travel to these locations.
Meningococcal vaccine should ideally be administered at least two weeks before travel. HIV-positive individuals are recommended to receive a 2-dose primary series of the MCV4 vaccine 2 months apart to improve the initial immune response to vaccination. Those who have no health insurance may be referred to the network of community clinics in the county, and may call 2-1-1 for further assistance in getting linked to vaccination services.
Information about IMD may be found at the CDC meningococcal disease website. Questions may also be directed to the County of San Diego Health & Human Service Agency Public Health Services Epidemiology Program at (619) 692-8499.
Thank you for your continued participation.
CAHAN San Diego
County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency
Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch Email: cahan@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone: (619) 692-8499 • Fax: (858) 715-6458 • Secure Website: http://cahan.ca.gov
Urgent Phone for pm / weekends / holidays: (858) 565-5255 • Public Access Website: http://www.cahansandiego.com
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