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Meningitis vaccinations for Alberta Grade 9 students

40,000 students will receive vaccine through clinics in schools across the province.

Edmonton (2 Feb. 2011) - Alberta is rolling out a school-based immunization program against meningitis this week, vaccinating Grade 9 students across the province.

The $2-million program will provide the meningococcal conjugate vaccine to up to 40,000 students through school clinics.

The vaccine will protect against four different strains of meningococcal disease and will become part of the province's annual immunization program offered to adolescents in Alberta.

The risk of spreading meningococcal disease increases during adolescence through the sharing of food, drinks, lipstick, lip balm, drinking straws, cigarettes and water bottles. The bacterium is spread through the saliva and is present in the nose and throat.

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