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The incidence of invasive meningococcal disease has increased over the last five years, with Māori and Pacific babies inequitably affected. Broader protection is now possible with the Bexsero vaccine, but careful coadministration of paracetamol is required to mitigate common adverse effects, says pharmacist prescriber Leanne Te Karu
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1. Burton C, Best E, Broom M, et al. Pediatric invasive meningococcal disease, Auckland, New Zealand (Aotearoa), 2004-2020. Emerg Infect Dis 2023;29(4):686–95.
2. ESR. Meningococcal disease.
3. Martinón-Torres F, Banzhoff A, Azzari C, et al. Recent advances in meningococcal B disease prevention: real-world evidence from 4CMenB vaccination. J Infect 2021;83(1):17–26.
4. De Serres G, Billard MN, Gariépy MC, et al. Short-term safety of 4CMenB vaccine during a mass meningococcal B vaccination campaign in Quebec, Canada. Vaccine 2018;36(52):8039–46.
5. Kumpula EK, Paterson DA, Pomerleau AC. A retrospective analysis of therapeutic drug exposures in New Zealand National Poisons Centre data 2018-2020. Aust N Z J Public Health 2023;47(2):100027.
6. UK National Health Service. How and when to give paracetamol for children.
Respiratory physician Lutz Beckert considers chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management, including the prevention of COPD, the importance of smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation, and the lifesaving potential of addressing treatable traits. He also discusses the logic of inhaler therapy, moving from single therapy to dual and triple therapy when indicated, as well as other aspects of management
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