Yellowknife (Feb 09/04) - Yellowknife high school students are the prime target of the Public Health Unit this week as the meningitis vaccination program gets underway.

Public health nurses began invading St. Patrick high school Monday, as part of a territory-wide vaccination program the chief medical health officer called for two weeks ago.

Two cases of type C meningitis were reported in December 2003, one that resulted in the death of a teen in Fort Good Hope. That caused some concern among officials and resulted in the early implementation of the program.

Laurie Vallillee, acting director at the Public Health Unit in Yellowknife, said approximately 1,300 students from Grade 9 to 12 will be immunized in the first stage, since they are most likely to spread the bacteria.

"We will be doing the two high schools over the next two weeks," said Vallillee, hoping that by March break they will all be taken care of and then the younger students will be inoculated.

Vallillee said the students shouldn't be too concerned with the side effects of the vaccine, as it is similar to most immunization injections.

"The vaccine is given in the muscle of the arm so there may be some minor pain, redness and swelling at the injection site," she said.

While the side effects usually resolve in two to three days, Vallillee said it takes longer before the students are fully immune to the meningococcal bacteria that can lead to meningitis.

"We usually go with about 10 days to two weeks before the vaccine takes effect," she said.

Grade 9 students will also be offered their booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

Schools urge calm

Staff at Sir John Franklin high school are not worried about the recent teenage death from the disease.

Assistant principal Colleen Pura is more concerned with how students will react to the imminent immunizations.

"One of the things we're trying to do right now is to have the kids stay calm," she said, adding fear of needles may be a problem.

The school has been working closely with Nancy Trotter, the school health nurse, to encourage all students to sign up for the shots.

Students received an information pamphlet at an assembly last week, informing them of the disease threat and the choices they have.

With more than 70 students travelling to the Arctic Winter Games from the school late February, it's important to ensure they arrive in Fort McMurray healthy, said Pura.

At 17, Hawa Dumbuya had the choice to accept the immunization or not.

"I decided to take it because I wanted to be protected," she said.

The Grade 11 student is not particularly worried about meningitis, but will line up for her shot next week regardless.

For Tara Bromley, fear plays a factor in her apprehension about the school-wide health move, but knowing it's a one-time shot makes it easier. "It's for a lifetime. You never have to worry about it again," said the 16-year-old.

Across the NWT

Meanwhile across the rest of the territory, vaccinations are well underway, said chief medical health officer Dr. Andre Corriveau.

As of Monday, all communities in the NWT have begun issuing the vaccinations or have already finished them in the community. Approximately 12,000 doses were required to immunize everyone.

Corriveau said the injections are being done promptly and hopes to have it all wrapped up by May.

The inoculations will then be built into the regular NWT immunization program to ensure all children receive their vaccination against the bacteria.