Meningitis - From: Vaccination L 'Overdose

MENINGITIS

By Sylvie Simon, Editions Deja
Reprinted in Lifeforce Magazine (summer 1999)

If, in the fight against cancer, we have not advanced as far as in other fields, it is possibly because we are too attached to Pasteurian theories. Are these viruses outside us? Could they not come from our traumatised bodies? (Professor Jean Bernard)

The meningococcus, neisseria meningitidis, is responsible for septicaemia and, particularly, meningitis. A third of meningitis cases are due to meningococcus A, B or C, the latter being the most dangerous in its effects. In total the cases amount to only 400 p.a. but nearly 10 per cent are fatal. Antibiotics are effective but the vaccine, prepared from the bacteria’s polysaccharide capsule, does not protect against the B type, the most widespread in France. It is only of relevance to types A and C.

L’lmpatient comments: “The hysteria created every time a meningitis is suspected in a community, particularly among infants, seems out of proportion to the reality. It serves only to justify vaccination of that community even though the vaccine is not compulsory.”

Given that as soon as a case is flagged a mass vaccination campaign is undertaken, it is interesting to look at the history of the disease in the countries where it is endemic. In Africa, the Niger and bordering countries are liable to epidemics in November and February. In 1995 Dr Bruno Martin, Adviser to UNICEF at Geneva, stated: “Epidemics come in cycles, every 11-12 years, and it is necessary to foresee their arrival. We need stocks of vaccine because protection is only for 3 years. We vaccinate outside the centre, then towards the centre, to stop propagation.”

In fact, an epidemic of cerebro-spinal meningitis hit the Niger (8 million inhabitants) in 1995. Vaccination sessions were organised and in March humanitarian effort had provided 2 million doses. By the 29th of that month 4 million doses had been procured. Dr Marc Vercoutere has studied the official figures: