In June 2002, the State of SC passed the following vaccination recommendation and education law: AS TO REQUIRE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO NOTIFY INCOMING STUDENTS, OR THEIR PARENTS, OF THE RISK OF CONTRACTING MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE IF LIVING IN ON CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING AND TO REQUIRE THESE INSTITUTIONS TO RECOMMEND VACCINATION AGAINST THIS DISEASE IN THE INSTITUTION'S HEALTH AND MEDICAL INFORMATION PROVIDED TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS.
In October 2010 the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices updated their recommendation for adolescents and those at risk for meningitis. This recommendation is routine vaccination of adolescents, preferably at age 11 or 12, with a booster dose at age 16 years. If the adolescent has never received the meningitis vaccine prior to age 16, the CDC recommends the vaccine for those ages 16-21 years old, but they will not need a booster dose.
Meningococcal meningitis is a potentially life threatening bacterial infection. The
disease causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
The American College Health Association (ACHA) estimated that 100-125 cases of meningococcal disease occur annually on college campuses,
and 5 to 15 students die as a result. The disease is transmitted through the air via
droplets of respiratory secretions and by direct contact with persons infected with
the disease. Oral contact with shared items such as cigarettes or drinking glasses
or through intimate contact such as kissing could put a person at risk for acquiring
the infection.
Meningococcal vaccine, Menactra, will protect against four common forms of Nisseria
Meningitis (A, C, Y and W-135), however, no vaccine is guaranteed to protect 100%
of individuals. The fastest rising form of the disease among college students is group
C. Currently no vaccine protects against group B. Minimal side effects of the vaccine
may include mild pain and redness at the injections site. Some individuals may have
other reactions like headache, fever and chills.
If you have a healthcare plan, an HMO or PPO health insurance plan, you may want to
contact your provider. Some plans may cover the vaccine and if so, you may want to
be vaccinated at your healthcare provider's office prior to coming to Winthrop.
