Toronto, – This school year, parents should include an immunization check up to ensure children and adolescents have the best possible protection against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a tragic bacterial disease that often begins with symptoms that can be mistaken for common viral illnesses, such as the flu. Invasive meningococcal disease, which includes meningococcal meningitis can progress rapidly, and may even become fatal within 24 to 48 hours.