Rep. Greg Harris Rolls Up Sleeve for Meningitis Vaccination

Rep. Greg Harris (13th District) and his chief of staff, Coleman Goode, dropped by Lake View’s Howard Brown Health Center to receive their vaccinations for meningococcal disease.

The state representative’s visit was spurred by the Chicago Department of Health’s health advisory of a small but serious outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) that has so far infected four people. The city’s health department is urging sexually active gay men to get vaccinated against the disease.

The outbreak has appeared to have infected men who are sexually active with other men living with HIV, men who are having sex with anonymous partners, or who are using anonymous hookup sites, such as Grindr, A4A, Scruff, Jack’d, etc.

Transgender women who are HIV positive, have sex with anonymous partners, and who use hookup sites are also at risk, according to city health officials.

IMD is a rare communicable bacterial disease that can cause meningitis, a severe disease of the brain and spinal cord, and other potentially fatal conditions. IMD is spread through intimate activities such as kissing and sexual contact or sharing drinks or cigarettes, smoking devices or marijuana.

Common symptoms are fever, headache and a stiff neck. Other accompanying symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and confusion, a joint CDPH and Howard Brown health advisory said.

IMD is a rare communicable bacterial disease that can cause meningitis, a severe disease of the brain and spinal cord, and other potentially fatal conditions. IMD is spread through intimate activities such as kissing and sexual contact or sharing drinks or cigarettes, smoking devices or marijuana. Common symptoms are fever, headache and a stiff neck. Other accompanying symptoms include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and confusion.

Since the Department of Health’s announcement, Howard Brown Health Center has vaccinated hundreds of individuals at its Sheridan and Aris clinics and Broadway Youth Center.

By getting his vaccination publicly, Harris said they wanted to set an example to the community about how simple, painless and necessary it is to get vaccinated.

“Being gay and HIV-positive, I read in the paper that there has been an outbreak of meningitis [and that I could be at risk.],” Harris said in a news release. “Yes, it’s hard to develop, but it is a communicable disease and anyone who is at risk should just come in and get a simple shot.”

Harris emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated for meningococcal disease.

“This [push to be vaccinated] isn’t about stigma, this is about health care,” he said. “So whether it’s measles or meningitis, if you can prevent a disease, why not take five minutes out of your day and get a shot?”

Howard Brown’s Chief Clinical Officer Magda Houlberg, MD, said that more people need to come now so they have full protection, especially with Pride Month activities coming up throughout the month.

“With Pride around the corner, there is a very real chance that these numbers could increase dramatically,” Dr. Houlberg said. “We need individuals who are in this target demographic to come in at either one of our locations or another designated CDPH partner site throughout the city and get a free vaccination, not just for themselves, but to protect your friends, loved ones and others in the LGBTQ community.”

Photo 1 - Registered Nurse Kevin Keiser, of Howard Brown Health Center, gives meningitis vaccination to Rep. Greg Harris.

Photo 2 - Keiser prepares vaccine for invasive meningococcal disease.

Photo 3 - Harris’ Chief of Staff Coleman Goode’s turn.

Photos by Kellee Terrell/Howard Brown Health Center

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