Vaccine tested

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A study is under way in Saskatoon to test how Natives respond to meningococcal meningitis vaccines.

Approximately 180 children, Native and non-Native, will have blood samples taken in the voluntary test which will compare antibody levels in the two groups. A joint group from the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control in Ottawa and the University of Saskatchewan is directing the study.

Previous studies have indicated Aboriginals have less protection from the disease after vaccination than non-Natives. Agencies should take notice and develop better immunizations if the study proves Native people have a decreased immunological response to such vaccines, said study spokesperson Dr. Cory Neudorf. A second series of blood samples will be taken four weeks after the vaccination.