Meningitis Vaccination
Currently 34 states requires that college students attending their univerisities and colleges and to immunized against the meningococcal disease. The American College Health Association, Center for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommend that those students living on campus take the vaccination for meningitis. Students living on campus have an increased risk of disease because of close living proximity and the sharing of drinks and food. The disease can be airborne. Other students wishing to reduce the risk of meningitis may also choose to be vaccinated.
Recent evidence has found that students residing on college campuses in residence halls appear to be at higher risk for meningococcal disease than college students overall. Research recently released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows freshmen living in dormitories have a six times higher risk of meningococcal disease than college students overall.
Although anyone can come in contact with the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease, data also indicates that certain social behavior, such as exposure to passive and active smoking, bar patronage, and excessive alcohol consumption, may put students at increased risk for the disease. Students with respiratory infections, compromised immunity, those in close contact to a known case, and travelers to endemic areas of the world are also at increased risk. Cases and outbreaks usually occur in the late winter and early spring when school is in session.
There are two types of meningitis - viral and bacterial. There is no vaccination for the viral meningitis. The vaccine, Menactra is the newest vaccine out for bacterial meningitis. As with any vaccine, vaccination against meningitis may not protect 100% of all susceptible individuals, but it will reduce the risk of bacterial meningitis.
The vaccine is Menactra for meningitis. Student Health Services can order and give the vaccination for $120. One shot is expected to inoculate a patient for 7 to 10 years. Meningitis experts estimate that 10 to 30 percent of people naturally carry meningitis bacteria in their nasal mucus and inadvertently spread the disease to people who are not immune to it.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Meningococcal (bacterial meningitis) Disease
I. What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially fatal, bacterial infection, and most commonly leads to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcal septicemia, an infection of the blood.
II. What causes meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States. There are five types of bacteria (or serogroups) for meningococcal disease that circulate worldwide: A, B, C, Y, and W-135. Evidence shows approximately 70 to 80 percent of cases in the college age group are caused by serogroup C, Y, or W-135, which are potentially vaccine-preventable.
The number of cases caused by each type varies by location. For instance, type A rarely causes cases in the United States but is the most common cause of epidemics in Africa and Asia. Different age groups appear to be disproportionately affected by different types. Type B is the most common type in infants and recently was associated with cases in Oregon, while type Y causes the majority of cases in those 65 years and older. Type C is associated with outbreaks in communities and schools, including colleges and universities. The proportion of disease caused by different types of the bacteria also changes over time.
III. How many people get meningococcal disease each year?
Meningococcal disease strikes 1,400 to 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 150 to 300 deaths. Adolescents and young adults account for nearly 30 percent of all cases of meningitis in the United States. Approximately 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and five to 15 students will die as a result.
IV. How serious is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal infection is contagious and progresses very rapidly. It can easily be misdiagnosed as the flu or other minor febrile infections, and, if not treated early, meningitis can lead to death or permanent disabilities. One in five of those who survive will suffer these long-term side effects, such as brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, or limb amputation.
V. How is meningococcal disease spread?
Meningococcal disease is spread person-to-person through the air by respiratory droplets (e.g., coughing, sneezing). The bacteria also can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, such as oral contact with shared items like cigarettes or drinking glasses, and through kissing.
VI. What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?
Symptoms of meningococcal disease often resemble those of the flu or other minor febrile illnesses, making it sometimes difficult to diagnose. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and confusion.
Students who notice these symptoms in themselves, friends or others should contact their college health Services or hospital immediately.
Early Symptoms of Meningitis
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Meningitis usually peaks in late winter and early spring, overlapping flu season, and symptoms can be easily mistaken for the flu. Meningitis can be viral or bacterial. The bacterial type is more serious in nature and can be deadly.
VII. What are the complications of meningococcal disease?
If not treated early, meningococcal disease can lead to death or permanent disabilities. One in five of those who survive will suffer long-term side effects, such as brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, or limb amputation.
VIII. Who is at risk of getting meningococcal disease?
Anyone can get meningococcal disease. Certain groups, though, are at higher risk. These include infants, adolescents, and college students, particularly those living in residence halls. Disease rates decline after infancy, but begin to rise again in early adolescence, peaking between the ages of 15 and 20 years.
Due to lifestyle factors, such as crowded living situations, bar patronage, active or passive smoking, irregular sleep patterns, and sharing of personal items, some college students may be more likely to acquire meningococcal disease than the general college population.
Certain conditions also increase a person’s susceptibility to the disease. Persons with immature or damaged immune systems are at increased risk. Respiratory tract infections also increase a person’s risk of getting the disease. There also may be certain genetic factors that increase the risk of infection.
IX. Should I be vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association (ACHA) recommend that all first-year students living in residence halls be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. Other college students under 25 years of age who wish to reduce their risk for the disease may choose to be vaccinated. Loyola University requires all entering students and those living in on campus housing to be immunized against the disease.
X. Why should college students consider getting the meningococcal vaccine?
Meningococcal vaccination is recommended by CDC and ACHA for all first-year students living in residence halls. Data also show an increased incidence of meningococcal disease among adolescents and young adults, including college students. Additionally, in persons 15 to 24 years of age, 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by potentially vaccine-preventable strains.
XI. Who should be vaccinated?
- All students entering Loyola University for the first time.
- All students residing in on campus
housing at Loyola University.
• Other groups are recommended for vaccination:
• Undergraduate students 25 years of age or younger who wish to
reduce their risk for the disease may choose to be vaccinated
• Students with medical conditions that compromise immunity (e.g.,
HIV, absent spleen, antibody deficiency, chemotherapy, immuno-suppressants)
o Students at the time of high school entry
o Young adolescents at the pre-adolescent doctor visit (11 to 12 years
of age)
o Travelers to endemic areas of the world
o Lab workers with potential exposure to meningococcus
XII. How effective is vaccination?
The meningococcal vaccine provides protection against four of the five
types of N. meningitidis bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in
the United States – types A, C, Y, and W-135. In persons 15 to
24 years of age, 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by potentially
vaccine-preventable strains.
XIII. Is vaccination safe? Are there any adverse side effects?
The vaccine is safe, and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent. The most commonly reported reactions by adolescents and adults in clinical studies were pain at the injection site, headache, and fatigue. These respond to simple measures (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) and resolve spontaneously within a few days.
II. What is the cost of the meningococcal vaccine?
The vaccine costs $120 if taken in Student Health Services. Payment can be made CASH, CHECK, CREDIT CARD or PLACED ON A STUDENT'S LOYOLA ACCOUNT.
III. Whom can students and parents contact for additional information about meningococcal meningitis and the vaccine?
For additional information on meningococcal disease and vaccination, parents and students can call [IStudent Health Services, Loyola University, 504-865-3326. Additional information is available at the websites of the American College Health Association, www.acha.org/meningitis, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_meningitis.htm.
