Meningitis Vaccine

Meningococcal Meningitis Facts for Students

Recommendations: 

Student Health Services strongly recommends that all incoming freshmen and transfer students to H-SC receive the meningococcal meningitis vaccination as soon as possible after arrival on campus if it has not been obtained prior to arrival.   

Meningococcal meningitis is a serious illness that can lead to brain damage, disability, or death.  College freshmen, particularly those who live in dorms, have a modestly increased risk of contracting this disease. A vaccine is available that protects against four of the five most common strains and provides protection for 3-5 years. 

What are the Symptoms?

The early symptoms usually associated with meningococcal disease include: 

• Fever (greater than 101 degrees)
• Sudden and severe headache
• Neck and back stiffness
• Rash (1-2 mm appearing as tiny red, purple-black spots, or larger resembling bruises in areas such as armpits, groin and ankles)
• Nausea
• Lethargy
• Vomiting

 

GET IMMUNIZED

The vaccine is available at local health departments and travel clinics in metropolitan areas.  Student Health Services does provide the vaccine at cost on a pre-paid basis only. For additional information, please contact of the staff at 434-223-6167.

The following web sites are also helpful:

Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm

American College Health Association
http://www.acha.org/projects_programs/meningitis/disease_info.cfm#recommendation