2008 Woodie Awards
Meningitis vaccine protects WCU students
Jacquelyn Thomas
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Features
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Before leaving for college, first-year students all over the country make a checklist to ensure comfort and safety while away from home. They make sure they have their extra-long twin sheets, shower shoes and microwave, but did the meningitis vaccine make it on the list?
Meningococcal disease is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that can lead to meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcal septicemia, an infection of the blood.
Meningococcal disease, caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States. It strikes 1,400 to 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 150 to 300 deaths. Between 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and five to 15 students will die as a result.
Recently, there have been cases of meningitis in the West Chester and Philadelphia areas that have resulted in the death of students. The American College Health Association (ACHA) issued immunization recommendations for all first-year students living in residence halls. Other college students under 25 years of age may choose to be vaccinated to reduce their risk of disease. In Pennsylvania, students living in university-owned housing are required to obtain the meningitis vaccine or can waive the vaccine after receiving information about the disease.
There are currently two vaccines on the market, Menactra and Menomune. Menactra is believed to offer longer-lasting protection. Menomune is known to offer protection for three to five years. Either is acceptable.
The two vaccines are highly effective, but do not protect against meningococcal disease caused by type-B bacteria, which accounts for one-third of meningitis cases. Side effects from the vaccine (which are infrequent and usually mild) may include pain and redness at injection site, headache, malaise, chills and fever. The vaccine takes seven to 10 days to become effective.
Meningococcal disease is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that can lead to meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcal septicemia, an infection of the blood.
Meningococcal disease, caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States. It strikes 1,400 to 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 150 to 300 deaths. Between 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and five to 15 students will die as a result.
Recently, there have been cases of meningitis in the West Chester and Philadelphia areas that have resulted in the death of students. The American College Health Association (ACHA) issued immunization recommendations for all first-year students living in residence halls. Other college students under 25 years of age may choose to be vaccinated to reduce their risk of disease. In Pennsylvania, students living in university-owned housing are required to obtain the meningitis vaccine or can waive the vaccine after receiving information about the disease.
There are currently two vaccines on the market, Menactra and Menomune. Menactra is believed to offer longer-lasting protection. Menomune is known to offer protection for three to five years. Either is acceptable.
The two vaccines are highly effective, but do not protect against meningococcal disease caused by type-B bacteria, which accounts for one-third of meningitis cases. Side effects from the vaccine (which are infrequent and usually mild) may include pain and redness at injection site, headache, malaise, chills and fever. The vaccine takes seven to 10 days to become effective.
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Janet Evans
posted 10/09/07 @ 8:22 AM EST
I am one of three families in Cedar Rapids, IA who have lost their children within the past four years to Bacterial Meningitis. We knew little about meningitis and were not aware that a vaccine was available to help protect our children. (Continued…)
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