National Meningitis Association Receives 2007 Telly Award For Meningococcal Disease Educational Video

MARIETTA, Ga., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Meningitis Association (NMA), a nonprofit organization founded by five parents whose children have died or live with permanent disability from meningococcal disease, has been awarded the 2007 Bronze Telly Award for its "Getting It: A Disease...A Vaccine" educational video.

"We are honored to be recognized with this prestigious award," said Lynn Bozof, NMA Executive Director. "The 'Getting It: A Disease...A Vaccine' video is intended to help educate parents, adolescents and young adults about meningococcal disease and prevention in an effort to save other families from experiencing the devastating effects of this disease."

"Getting It: A Disease...A Vaccine," narrated by Actress Glenn Close, features the stories of meningococcal disease survivors and families affected by the disease, and is designed to help educate school communities and parents about the dangers of meningococcal disease and the importance of prevention. An accompanying educator guide is also available to help educators utilize the video within the classroom and initiate discussions on the disease, to help reinforce the importance of meningococcal disease prevention for adolescents and young adults.

Among the families featured in the video are several members of NMA's Moms on Meningitis (M.O.M.s) program, which is a coalition of mothers from across the country who support NMA in its efforts to educate parents and communities about meningococcal disease and prevention. In line with the M.O.M.s' mission, more than 20 M.O.M.s will attend a training session in Orlando, Fla., on May 5, to learn how to utilize "Getting It: A Disease...A Vaccine" to educate families in their local communities about the importance of meningococcal disease prevention.

The 25-minute educational video was written and produced by Emmy-award winner and NMA advisory board member Doug Myers. Nancy Snyderman, MD, NBC Today Show chief medical correspondent and NMA advisory board member, provided medical commentary for the video.

For more information or to order a copy of the "Getting It: A Disease...A Vaccine" educator kit, please visit http://www.nmaus.org/.

The Telly Awards are the premier award recognizing the finest video and film productions in the United States and throughout the world. NMA's educational video was chosen for the Bronze Telly from among more than 13,000 award submissions.

About Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease, commonly known as meningitis, is a rare, but serious bacterial infection that can lead to death or permanent disability within hours of first symptoms. Adolescents and young adults are at increased risk for meningococcal disease and account for nearly 30 percent of cases in the U.S. Up to 83 percent of meningococcal disease cases among adolescents and young adults can be prevented through immunization.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends meningococcal disease vaccination of adolescents at their annual doctor's visit (age 11-12). For those not previously vaccinated, immunization is recommend before entering high school (about age 15) and for college freshmen living in dormitories; only one shot is required.

About the National Meningitis Association

The National Meningitis Association (NMA) is a nonprofit organization founded by parents whose children have either died or live with permanent disability as a result of meningococcal disease. NMA's mission is to educate families, medical professionals and others about bacterial meningitis and prevention approaches to the disease. For more information about NMA and the organization's activities, or to contact a member of NMA or one of the NMA M.O.M.s, please call 1-866-FONE-NMA (1-866-366-3662) or visit http://www.nmaus.org/.

Contact: Jennifer Corrigan

732/382-8898