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What Meningitis Vaccine Is Required For College

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What Are The Vaccine Side Effects And Risks

Meningitis Vaccination Required for Incoming College Students
  • MCV4 and SBMV are safe, but side effects can occur.
  • Most side effects are mild or moderate and do not affect daily activities.
  • The most common side effects in preteens and teens occur where the injection is given and may include pain, tenderness, swelling, and hardness of the skin.
  • Other common side effects may include nausea, feeling a little run down, and headache.
  • Some preteens and teens may also faint after getting a vaccine.
  • Reactions usually last a short time and get better within a few days.

Who’s Required To Be Vaccinated

The Texas Senate Bill 1107, as amended by Senate Bill 62, requires all new TCC students who are under the age of 22 and who enroll after January 1, 2014, to submit evidence of being immunized against meningococcal meningitis.

The meningitis vaccination requirement applies to:

  • All first-time freshmen
  • All new transfer students
  • All returning TCC students who have experienced a break in TCC enrollment of at least one fall or spring term
  • New and returning non-credit students enrolled in programs with at least 360 contact hours

What Is Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis bacteria spreads through contact between individuals. The bacteria moves best in situations of close social contact like kissing, sharing silverware or drinks, exchanging lipstick or cigarettes, or coughing. It can also happen over time, like after sharing living conditions for an extended period.

Bacterial meningitis is serious and can be life-threatening. Potential cases should receive immediate medical attention for the best outcome. Early treatment can prevent serious complications, like hospitalization, brain damage, amputations, and even death.

According to the CDC, bacterial meningitis is as contagious as the viruses that cause the flu.

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Cdc Recommends Meningococcal Vaccination For People Identified As Being At Increased Risk During Outbreaks

CDC supports state and local health departments in investigating outbreaks and implementing outbreak control measures. During a serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease outbreak, CDC recommends MenACWY vaccination for people at increased risk because of the outbreak. During a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak, CDC recommends MenB vaccination for people at increased risk because of the outbreak. People who have previously received MenACWY or MenB vaccine and become at increased risk because of an outbreak may be recommended to receive a booster dose depending on how long it has been since they previously received the vaccine.

Important Information About Bacterial Meningitis

Meningococcal vax positive
  • Rash or purple patches on skin
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Seizures

There may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.

  • Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.
  • Exposure to saliva by sharing cigarettes, water bottles, eating utensils, food, kissing, etc.
  • Living in close conditions
  • Death
  • Permanent brain damage
  • Limb damage that requires amputation
  • Gangrene
  • Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives and chances of recovery are increased. However, permanent disability or death can still occur.
  • Vaccinations are available and should be considered for:
  • Those living in close quarters
  • College students 25 years old or younger
  • Vaccinations are effective against four of the five most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. .
  • Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years.
  • The cost of the vaccine varies, so check with your health care provider.
  • Vaccination is very safe most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up to two days.
  • Vaccination is available at Student Health Services, A.P. Beutel Health Center, for $135.00.
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    What Is Acceptable Evidence Of Vaccination

    Documentation must be in English, state the name and other information sufficient to identify the individual who received the required vaccination, state the month, date and year the vaccine was administered.

  • A statement provided by physician or other health care provider authorized by law to administer the vaccine. The statement must include the name, address, signature or stamp, state of licensure and license number of the physician or other healthcare provider who administered the required vaccination or of the public health official who administered the vaccination.
  • An official immunization record generated from the state or local health authority
  • An official record received directly from a Texas school official, or a school official in another state.
  • How Common Is Meningococcal Disease

    Meningococcal disease is becoming much less common. Over the past 20 years, the overall incidence of meningococcal disease in the US has declined 10-fold. Twenty years ago in Massachusetts there were 80-100 cases of meningococcal disease per year. In contrast, for the past decade the average is approximately 12 cases per year. Declining rates of meningococcal disease may be due in part to the introduction of meningococcal vaccines as well as other factors such as the decline in cigarette smoking, which may impact susceptibility to this disease.

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    Do College Students Need Mmr

    In the U.S., almost everyone receives the CDC-recommended two doses of MMR, the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella, as young children. The MMR affords good protection against these diseases, and routine vaccination with a third dose of MMR isnt necessary for all students.

    Still, there are some circumstances in which youll want your student to get a dose of MMR before he or she arrives on campus. If for some reason your child didnt receive MMR vaccination at a young age, they should have two doses, separated by 28 days.

    Heres why: Although most recent measles outbreaks havent been on college campuses, they are considered high-risk settings. Mumps is sometimes a concern for college students as well. Between 2015 and 2017, two large outbreaks at universities in Iowa and Illinois caused several hundred students to get sick.

    The CDC usually recommends that people in communities with an active mumps outbreak receive an additional dose of MMR. A 2017 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a mumps booster in an outbreak significantly reduced the risk of infection. For measles outbreaks, the CDC recommends people who arent adequately vaccinated catch up, but people generally dont need an extra dose of MMR if they’re already immune to measles.

    Editor’s Note: Catherine Roberts contributed reporting to this story.

    Students Under 22 Years Of Age Who Will Take Any Face

    Ohio students required to have meningitis vaccine before school starts (WKYC)

    Documentation must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the student’s first in-person class.

    Effective Jan. 1, 2014, state law requires students who will be under age 22 on their first day of class at a public, private or independent institution of higher education in Texas to provide proof of immunization for bacterial meningitis. The vaccination or booster dose must have been received during the five years prior to enrollment and at least ten days before the start of classes.

    Students who have been previously enrolled at Texas State and are enrolling following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester will be subject to the vaccination requirement. Students transferring from another institution of higher education will also be subject to the vaccination requirement.

    Texas State requires you to meet this requirement before you will be allowed to register for classes.

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    Common And Local Adverse Events

    Conjugate meningococcal vaccines

    Men-C-ACYW vaccines

    Injection site reactions occur in up to 59% of vaccinees. Fever is reported in up to 5% of recipients and systemic reactions, such as headache and malaise, are reported in up to 60% of recipients.

    Men-C-C vaccines

    Mild reactions, including injection site reactions , occur in up to 50% of vaccine recipients. Irritability occurs in up to 80% of infants and fever in up to 9% when other vaccines were administered. Headaches and malaise occur in up to 10% of older children and adults. These reactions last no more than a few days.

    Serogroup B Meningococcal vaccines

    4CMenB vaccine

    Solicited local and systemic reactions have been commonly reported in clinical trials and include injection site tenderness, induration, sleepiness and irritability. Higher rates of fever have been observed with simultaneous administration of 4CMenB vaccine and routine infant vaccines therefore, routine prophylactic administration of acetaminophen or separating 4CMenB vaccination from routine vaccination schedule has been proposed for preventing fever in infants and children up to three years of age.

    MenB-fHBP vaccine

    Solicited local and systemic reactions have been commonly reported in clinical trials and include injection site tenderness, induration and irritability.

    I Have No Idea What Shots I Got When I Was A Kid My Parents Took Care Of All Of That What Do I Need To Do

    “Most colleges send you a health form to fill out before you go. That’s your opportunity to visit your pediatrician and talk about your immunization record. But of course, you can always contact your doctor any time with questions.”

    Show Sources

    William Schaffner, MD, president, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases professor, chairman, department of preventive medicine, professor of medicine, division of infectious diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

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    What Are The Symptoms Of Meningococcal Disease

    Signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease include sudden onset of fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or mental confusion. A rash may also be present. Changes in behavior such as confusion, sleepiness, and unresponsiveness are important symptoms of illness. Anyone who has these symptoms should be seen by a healthcare provider immediately. In fatal cases, death can occur in as little as a few hours, even with appropriate medical treatment. Less common presentations include pneumonia and arthritis.

    Menb Vaccines Are Safe

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    Available data show that MenB vaccines are safe. Side effects like pain at the injection site, fever, and headache are common. These side effects usually resolve on their own within 3 to 5 days after vaccination. MenB vaccines are more reactogenic than other adolescent vaccines . They are likely to produce common or expected short-term side effects . There have been no unusual patterns of serious reactions associated with these vaccines.

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    Requirement Deadlines For Ieli Students

    If you were attending IELI classes at UNT during Fall I and/or Fall II 2021 sessions, proof of immunization against bacterial meningitis is required.

    Students who receive vaccination after the deadline must submit a request for an extension.

    Fall 2021: The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is August 19, 2021.

    Fall 2021: The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is October 13, 2021.

    Immunization documentation for IELI students may be submitted to UNT electronically, through the U.S. Postal Service, or delivered by hand to:

    Office of Admissions

    Simultaneous Administration With Other Vaccines

    Men-C-C and 4CMenB vaccine may be administered concomitantly with routine childhood vaccines, and Men-C-ACYW vaccine may be administered concomitantly with adolescent and adult age appropriate vaccines. MenB-fHBP can be given concomitantly with quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine meningococcal serogroup A, C, Y, W conjugate vaccine and tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed. The concomitant administration of MenB-fHBP has not been studied with other vaccines.

    Men-C-ACYW-CRM can be administered with routine paediatric vaccines however, further studies are needed with regard to concomitant administration with pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine. Co-administration of Men-C-ACYW-CRM and combined tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine may result in a lower immune response to the pertussis antigens than when Tdap vaccine is given alone however, the clinical significance of this is unknown. Tdap vaccine given one month after Men-C-ACYW-CRM induces the strongest immunologic response to pertussis antigens.

    If vaccines are to be administered concomitantly with another vaccine, a separate injection site and a different syringe must be used for each injection.

    Refer to Timing of Vaccine Administration in Part 1 for additional general information.

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    Shouldnt Meningococcal B Vaccine Be Required

    CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has reviewed the available data regarding serogroup B meningococcal disease and the vaccines. At the current time, there is no routine recommendation and no statewide requirement for meningococcal B vaccination before going to college . As noted previously, adolescents and young adults may be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years of age, to provide short term protection against most strains of serogroup B meningococcal disease. This would be a decision between a healthcare provider and a patient. These policies may change as new information becomes available.

    Meningococcal Vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide

    Meningitis Vaccine Age Requirement for College Students Set To Drop

    For health professionals

    Latest partial content update :

    : The chapter has been updated to align with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization Statement : The Use of Bivalent Factor H Binding Protein Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine for the Prevention of Meningococcal B Disease.

    Updates include:

    MenB-fHBP vaccine may be considered as an option for use in individuals 10 years of age and older in situations when a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine should be offered:

  • during serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreaks or with the emergence of hyperendemic Neisseria meningitidis strains that are predicted to be susceptible to the vaccine
  • for individuals who are close contacts with a case of invasive meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis
  • for individuals with underlying medical conditions that would put them at higher risk of meningococcal disease than the general population or
  • for individuals at higher risk of exposure to serogroup B meningococcal isolates than the general population.
  • MenB-fHBP vaccine may be considered as an option for individuals 1025 years of age who are not at higher risk of meningococcal disease than the general population, but who wish to reduce their risk of invasive serogroup B meningococcal disease.

    Last complete chapter revision: May 2015

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    Who Is At Most Risk For Meningococcal Disease

    High-risk groups include anyone with a damaged spleen or whose spleen has been removed, those with persistent complement component deficiency , HIV infection, those traveling to countries where meningococcal disease is very common, microbiologists who routinely work with the bacteria and people who may have been exposed to meningococcal disease during an outbreak. People who live in certain settings such as college dormitories and military housing are also at greater risk of disease from some serotypes.

    The Meningitis Vaccine: A Must

    August 10, 2016 By Will Sowards

    Youre all set to register for classes, your schedule is completely planned out. You log-in to the schools website, hoping you can slide into one of your universitys coveted classes. Youre about to click the button to finish your registration but then you find youve got a hold on your account. The university needs proof of your meningitis vaccination!

    Outbreaks of meningitis have been cropping up on college campuses throughout North America. Many universities in the U.S. and Canada now require students receive a meningitis vaccine.

    Though it could add another item on your to-do list, getting the meningitis vaccine is important. The vaccine is key to keeping you healthy and able to pursue those big life goals.

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    Why An Increase In Meningitis Outbreaks On College Campuses

    When you are in a situation with a whole bunch of people who share items like cups, water bottles, lipstick or engage in unhygienic behavior, it just magnifies the risk, said Sankar Swaminathan, MD, division chief of infectious diseases at University of Utah Health.

    Meningococcal disease is bacterial and causes bloodstream infections and meningitis. College students, especially those living in residence halls, are prone to contracting the disease because of their close proximity to each other.

    In the face of the meningitis outbreaks, Princeton University will begin offering students a vaccine that not approved in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration gave the green light last week to allow the use of Bexsero, a type B meningitis vaccine. The vaccine is only licensed in Europe and Australia. Students will remain at high-risk until the disease has run its course. This vaccine will help protect students who have not been exposed, said Swaminathan.

    Its easy to mistake the early signs of meningitis for the flu. Both have symptoms that include a high fever, vomiting and nausea. But according to Swaminathan anytime a high fever is accompanied by a severe headache you should see a doctor right away. Other symptoms of meningitis also include confusion, stiff neck, seizures, sleepiness, and sensitivity to light.

    What Are Neisseria Meningitidis

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    Neisseria meningitidis are bacteria that may be found normally in peoples throats and noses. About 5 to 15% of people carry these bacteria and do not get sick from them. These people may be referred to as colonized. Colonized people only have bacteria for a short time. Usually, the bacteria go away and these people may have increased resistance to infection in the future. In rare cases, the bacteria may get into the blood and go to the tissue surrounding the spinal cord and brain, causing severe illness. It is not known why this occurs in certain people and not in others. A recent upper respiratory illness may be a contributing factor.

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    Who Should Be Vaccinated Because They Are At Increased Risk

    • College freshmen living in dormitories.
    • Laboratory personnel exposed to meningococcal bacteria.
    • U.S. military recruits.
    • Anyone traveling or living where meningococcal disease is common, like Africa.
    • Anyone with a damaged spleen or who had the spleen removed.
    • Anyone with an immune system disorder.
    • Anyone exposed during a meningococcal meningitis outbreak.

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