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What States Require Meningitis Vaccine For College Students

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Vaccination Requirements State By State

State begins mandate to require CCSD students to receive Meningitis vaccine

Note: Most requirements were implemented before serogroup B meningococcal vaccines were available in the U.S. and may only apply to the vaccine that protects against serogroups A,C, W and Y. No matter where you live parents and teens should ask about vaccination against all serogroups of meningococcal disease. See chart.

Meningococcal vaccination is required

State Law To Require Meningitis Vaccines For College Students

Starting July 2015, public college and university students who live on campus will be required to be vaccinated for meningitis, unless they have overriding medical reasons or opposing religious beliefs.

The Missouri Legislature approved the bill earlier this year.

“Each public campus will be responsible for determining that students have met that requirement,” said Leroy Wade, deputy commissioner for the DHE. “I don’t know that we will have a specific role. We will do what we can to help specific institutions and share any needed information, but beyond that I don’t believe the department is going to have a role.”

Wade believes the legislation will not greatly change the way colleges administer student health programs, as many are already responsible for tracking and recording their students immunizations and vaccinations.

“I think it is a serious issue and it’s not my job to determine if this approach was a good one or not,” Wade said. “I think it is appropriate that this issue is in the forefront and people should be paying attention to it.”

Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges, according to the Centers for Disease Control . The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The U.S. had approximately 4,100 diagnosed cases of and 500 deaths from bacterial meningitis between 2003 and 2007.

Colleges Can Benefit From Using The Iis:

  • Streamline immunization records for providers, schools, and consumers
  • Reduce unnecessary paperwork and missed opportunities to vaccinate
  • Use clinical decision support tools to forecast upcoming vaccines due
  • Follow the recommended vaccines and schedules of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
  • Perform electronic data exchange with electronic health records
  • Support immunization verification during outbreaks

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Which Colleges And Universities Currently Require The Meningitis B Vaccine Where Have There Been Past Cases

MenB is more common among those 16-23 and is 5+ times more likely in college students. Yet few colleges are requiring the Meningitis B vaccine. There are 5,300 colleges and universities, and more than 30,000 high schools in the United States. We only know of 42 schools currently requiring Meningitis B vaccination.

  • schools requiring MenB vaccination

  • schools with past MenB case

  • schools recommending MenB vaccination

Scroll down to see the list of schools. Data is compiled based on publicly available data from campus immunization forms.

SCHOOLS CURRENTLY REQUIRING MENB VACCINATION

California

People With Certain Medical Conditions Need A 2

Maine Students Required To Get Meningitis Vaccine For Next School Year ...

Vaccinate people with the following medical conditions with a 2-dose primary series of MenACWY vaccine administered 8 weeks apart:

  • Complement component deficiency
  • Functional or anatomic asplenia
  • HIV

Administer routine booster doses every 5 years throughout life to people with these medical conditions. Booster doses will help these patients maintain protection against meningococcal disease.

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Meningococcal Disease And College Students

Four recent studies provide data concerning the risk for sporadicmeningococcal disease among college students . The earliest of these studies was conducted during the 1990–1991 and 1991–1992 school years. A questionnairedesigned to evaluate risk factors for meningococcal disease among college studentswas sent to 1,900 universities, resulting in a 38% response rate. Forty-three cases of meningococcal disease were reported during the 2 years from colleges with atotal enrollment of 4,393,744 students, for a low overall incidence of 1.0 per 100,000population per year. However, cases of meningococcal disease occurred 9–23 timesmore frequently in students residing in dormitories than in those residing in other typesof accommodations. The low response rate and the inability of the study to controlforother risk factors make these results difficult to interpret.

In a retrospective, cohort study conducted in Maryland for the period 1992–1997,67 cases of meningococcal disease among persons aged 1630 years were identifiedby active, laboratory-based surveillance. Of those cases, 14 were amongstudents attending Maryland colleges, and 11 were among those in 4-year colleges. Theoverall incidence of meningococcal disease in Maryland college students was similar tothe incidence in the U.S. population of persons the same age however, rates of disease were elevated among students living indormitories compared with students living off-campus .

Are Students In College At Risk For Meningococcal Disease

In the 1990s, college freshmen living in residence halls were identified as being at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease and outbreaks in young adults were primarily due to serogroup C. However, following many years of routine vaccination of young people with quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine , serogroup B is now the primary cause of meningococcal disease and outbreaks in young adults. Among the approximately 9 million students aged 18-21 years enrolled in college, there are an average of 20 cases and 2-4 outbreaks due to serogroup B reported annually.

Although incidence of serogroup B meningococcal disease in college students is low, college students aged 18-21 years are at increased risk compared to non-college students. The close contact in college residence halls, combined with certain behaviors , may put college students at increased risk.

Is there a vaccine against meningococcal disease?

Yes, there are 2 different meningococcal vaccines.

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Most Health Insurance Plans Cover The Cost For Menb Vaccination

Most health plans must cover CDC-recommended vaccines with no out-of-pocket costs if an in-network healthcare provider administers the vaccine. Adolescents or their parents should check with their insurance provider for details on whether there is any cost to them for this vaccine.

The Vaccines for Children, or VFC, program provides vaccines for children 18 and younger who are

  • Not insured
  • Medicaid-eligible
  • American Indian or Alaska Native

Parents can find a VFC provider by contacting their local health department. VFC will cover the cost of MenB vaccination for those

  • 16 through 18 years of age
  • 10 through 18 years of age identified as being at increased risk due to a medical condition
  • 10 through 18 years of age identified as being at increased risk due to a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak

Meningitis Vaccine Required Of Every High School Senior Starting With Class Of 2023

SDSU to require new students receive meningitis B vaccine

Note: This story has been updated to include that the vaccine is currently required at most colleges.

All Washoe County high school seniors, in public, private and charter schools, will need to have a meningococcal vaccine prior to starting school in August.

The new requirement goes into effect June 30. It was approved by the State Board of Health in 2020.

For most students, the vaccine will be a booster. Currently, all students entering 7th grade are required to have a first dose of the vaccine that prevents meningitis, a serious illness that can cause stroke, brain damage, organ failure, hearing loss and the loss of limbs because blood clots cause tissues to die.

Currently, the vaccine is already required for college entry at most schools. This would inoculate that group of young adults who don’t go to college.

The Washoe County Health District said only a few cases of meningitis among children are diagnosed each year. Washoe County has had one case of meningitis in a young child in 2022. The child was diagnosed in January.

The health district also said there have been no reported deaths from meningitis in Washoe County in recent years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there are about 400 deaths annually from the infection that causes inflammation of tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Of the 1 in 100,000 diagnosed each year with meningitis, most are infants, children, young adults 16-23 and the elderly.

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Meet A Washington Meningitis B Survivor

Kaley Dugger got sick with meningitis B in 2004 when she was seven years old. She survived! She graduated from Seattle University and is a strong advocate for both meningococcal vaccination and people with disabilities. Read Kaley’s Story and make sure you get vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

“I wait desperately for the day that no one dies from this preventable disease. Until then, I plan to raise awareness about meningitis and encourage everyone to consider vaccinating against this deadly threat.” – Kaley Dugger

What Are Neisseria Meningitidis

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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Are Free Or Low

Yes, if you don’t have insurance or your insurance does not cover the cost of the meningococcal vaccines, you may be able to find free or low-cost meningococcal shots. Note that there may still be an administration fee of up to $21.22 per shot.

  • If you are 18 years old or younger: Talk to your doctor or clinic to see if they participate in the Minnesota Vaccines for Children Program.
  • If you are 19 years old or older: Go to Vaccination Clinics Serving Uninsured and Underinsured Adults to search for a clinic near you that offers low-cost vaccines for eligible adults.

Adolescents Are At Increased Risk For Meningococcal Disease

FDA approves new vaccine for meningitis B

Anyone can get meningococcal disease. However, adolescents and young adults 16 through 23 years of age are at increased risk for meningococcal disease. In addition, college students have a slightly higher risk than other teens and young adults who are not attending college. Meningococcal bacteria can cause severe disease, including meningitis, bacteremia, and septicemia, resulting in permanent disabilities and even death.

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State Immunization Requirements For Enrolled Students

Indiana state law requires all new, regularly enrolled students attending residential campuses of Indiana public universities be immunized against Rubeola , Rubella , Mumps, Meningitis, Diphtheria, and Tetanus. This law requires the university to block the enrollment of any student who does not comply with immunization requirements. If your record is held for immunization noncompliance, registration for future courses cannot be completed until all requirements have been met.

Students starting on or after January, 2022 will be required to submit proof of completed immunizations.

Current students who remain non-compliant after December 10th, 2021 will also be required to submit proof.

Immunization proof must be legible and in English. Students may upload their official immunization record or a completed signed by an MD, DO, NP, or RN.

All incoming students MUST complete the medical clearances tab located in the Patient Portal. If you are not able to access the portal immediately, please check back during the first week of classes. This access issue is more common with graduate students.

Immunizations required by the state of Indiana:

State-required immunizations are available at the Student Health Center and through other healthcare providers.

Why Men B?

Exemptions

Requests for exemption to these requirements based on religious grounds must be made in advance and signed by the student.

PURDUE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER

Bacterial Meningitis Requirement Deadlines

New students, returning students, and continuing students not enrolled for Spring 2022 and who are under 22 years of age as of the first class day for the session or term they wish to enroll, should provide proof of a bacterial meningitis vaccination or exemption no later than 5:00 PM on January 13, 2022, the last day of regular registration. Students will be allowed to enroll prior to submitting the documents. However, classes will be canceled after 5:00 PM on the last day of regular registration for any student who has not submitted the proper documentation. Students who receive a vaccination after the deadline must submit a request for extension with documentation of immunization to be considered for enrollment. A student will be allowed to enroll late only if the proper immunization form is filed with the appropriate UNT Department .

Summer 2022

The last day to receive to submit a meningitis immunization record and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is June 3,2022, for Summer Sessions: 5Week1, 10Week1, 8Week2, and July 8, 2022, for 5W2.

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Recommended Vaccines For College Students

This section provides information about recommended vaccinations for college students. Below you will find links to information about the vaccines and the diseases they protect against.

The Ohio Revised Code Section 1713.55 states that beginning with the academic year that commences on or after July 1, 2005, an institution of higher education shall not permit a student to reside in on-campus housing unless the student discloses whether the student has been vaccinated against meningococcal disease and hepatitis B by submitting a meningitis and hepatitis B vaccination status statement.

ORC Section 3701.133 states that the Ohio Department of Health shall make available on its Web site information about meningitis and hepatitis B, the risks associated with the diseases and the availability and effectiveness of the vaccines. ODH shall also make available, on its Web site, in a format suitable for downloading, a meningitis and hepatitis B vaccination status statement form that complies with the guidelines outlined in ORC Section 3701.133, .

On this page you will find a link to each disease and a vaccination status statement that may be downloaded, printed and used if the institution of higher education chooses. The institution may also develop its own form, but it must comply with ORC Section 3701.133, .

Measles Mumps And Rubella

Meningitis Vaccination Required for Incoming College Students

Most people born after 1957 in the U.S. are immunized against measles, but sometimes they missed a dose in childhood. Without both of the required shots, your college student may not have full immunity. Check your childs immunization records, and schedule a booster if necessary.

RELATED: Do you need a measles booster?

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What Will This Mean For The Spring Semester

The hope is that schools will be able to prevent a massive spread of COVID infections on campus. While the past fall semester looked a little bit more like Fall 2019 and less like Fall 2020, the Omicron variant now poses a renewed threat. Again, safety precautions will still be in place, but the vaccine allows students to return to their campus with less fear and more excitement about classes, activities, and all of the things that make college…well, college.

“For us, it will mean we’ll have at least 80% of our classes face to face, it means that we will be back to the exciting and wonderful things that make campus life so wonderful and that includes, not just lectures and labs, but performances and athletics,” said Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, President of Oakland University, before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.

According to a survey conducted in March 2021 by Arts-Bridge, 62% of high schools students and parents are concerned they won’t have the “ideal college experience” because of the effects of the pandemic. Plus, 64% of high school juniors and seniors feel the price of college isn’t worth it when you’re learning from behind a screen instead of in a classroom.

The hope is that a vaccinated campus will help to solve these problems, to allow for that “ideal college experience” and for students to fully be back in the classroom.

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Where To Get A Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine:

  • With your healthcare provider, at a local pharmacy, or the local health department. Many insurances fully cover the cost of the vaccine however, it is recommended to call your insurance carrier to verify coverage and/or benefits.
  • Be advised that TAMIU Student Health Services does not accept insurance at this time. To use your TAMIU Student Health insurance for obtaining a Meningitis Vaccine, you must visit a provider in the community.
  • TAMIU Student Health Services offers the meningitis vaccine at a reduced cost to registered students. Appointment is required. Call 326-2235 for more information.

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Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Exemptions

Students are not required to submit evidence of vaccination if they are twenty-two years of age or older or enrolled for online courses only. Students who plan to enroll exclusively in online courses should complete the Meningitis Online Class Petition and submit it to the UNT Registrar’s Office. If a student who has previously enrolled for online-only courses subsequently enrolls for and attends any class or portion of a class on campus, they must submit evidence of vaccination as above. More information about bacterial meningitis is available at the meningitis page. For any questions regarding the Meningitis Vaccine please refer to the Meningitis FAQ.

Students, parents, and guardians have the right to seek an exemption to this requirement. The exemption will only be permitted based on evidence that the bacterial meningitis vaccine would be injurious to a student’s health and well-being according to the professional opinion of a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, or if the student has refused the vaccination based on a conscientious objection, including religion. Please see the Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Medical Exemption Affidavit. Exemptions from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience can only be requested through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

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