SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kaiser is enrolling 700 children in the massive study. Hundreds of families throughout Northern California are getting fliers in the mail, inviting parents to enroll children, ages 2 to 10, in what doctors consider to be a very important study.

"This is a disease which is rare. But when it occurs, it is very serious and can be life-threatening within a matter of hours," said Kaiser vaccine investigator Dr. Robert Whitson.

Many people carry the meningococcal germ without ever having symptoms, according to experts. But for some mysterious reason, it makes other people sick.

Of the 4,000 Americans affected each year, 15 percent die, and many who survive are left with serious handicaps. That knowledge prompted parent Cheryl Legg to enroll her 5-year-old daughter, Alissa, in the study.

"Meningitis is very dangerous. So, if I can get them a vaccine that's going to protect them from something that could be deadly, I'd like to do that," Legg said.

During the study, the children have blood drawn and then receive the vaccine, which does not contain a live virus. Whitson said the children cannot get meningitis from the shot.

"The side effects are very slight, basically, flu-like symptoms. And I think that's worth it because if they were to contract the disease, this would protect them," Legg said.

Some vaccines are already approved for use in teenagers and adults, but doctors want to know if this vaccine will protect younger children. And they want to know if it will provide longer protection than the other vaccine available.

"Over half the cases of meningitis occur in children under the age of 2. So, having a vaccine that works in the younger children is really the most important," Whitson said.

Kaiser plays a big role in testing a variety of vaccines for all of the major vaccine manufacturers. However, the studies are open only to families who receive their health care through Kaiser.

| Kaiser Meningitis Web site |