Symptoms of acute illness may include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, drowsiness or confusion. The risk of a meningitis outbreak may be greater on college campuses than in the general population. And in the past five years, the incidence of meningitis outbreaks has risen sharply on college campuses. In addition, ACHA also recommends that college health services provide information about the vaccine to students and parents as well as access to the vaccine for those students who choose to be vaccinated. A simple way to reduce your risk for a serious disease Vaccination is an easy and effective way for students to protect themselves against possible infection.
Meningitis outbreaks can develop very quickly, and cases tend to happen close together in time.
So, getting vaccinated now can reduce your risk for disease if an outbreak does occur. For these reasons, you should make sure the college student in your family seeks a meningitis vaccination this year. Immunization with meningitis vaccine should be deferred during any acute illness. Meningitis vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women or individuals sensitive to thimerosal or any other components of the vaccine. Adverse reactions may include redness and swelling at the injection site.