The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that college students, especially freshmen living in dormitories, be educated about meningococcal meningitis and vaccination.

Meningococcal meningitis, a form of bacterial meningitis, can cause severe swelling of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord or a serious blood infection.  It is spread through air droplets and by direct contact with an infected person (i.e., coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing a drinking glass, etc.).  The symptoms can resemble the flu, and the disease can progress very quickly.  One in 10 cases is fatal, and of those who survive, about 20 percent suffer long-term effects that can include hearing loss, brain damage, seizures or amputations. It can worsen very rapidly and can kill an otherwise healthy young person in 48 hours or less.

Each year there are approximately 3000 cases of meningococcal meningitis in the US, with an estimated 400 deaths. Adolescents and young adults are at increased risk between ages 15 and 24 years. Medical studies show freshmen living in dormitories have higher incidence compared to other persons in the same age group.  Certain social behaviors, including drinking and smoking (both active and passive) or being in crowded situations like a dormitory or bar, may put college students at greater risk.

As many as 83 percent of all cases of meningococcal meningitis in college students are vaccine preventable.  The vaccine is safe and effective, and can protect individuals against four of the five most common serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis, the bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis – A, C, Y and W-135.

Recently, an improved meningococcal vaccine was licensed for use, making it possible to protect young people prior to the time of increased exposure. The vaccine is now recommended for 11-12 year olds, as well as teenagers entering high school and college-bound who have not already received the vaccine. Many states have made this vaccine mandatory prior to college entrance.

The Montclair Health Department encourages you and your teen-age or college-bound child speak with your primary care physician about vaccination. You can visit the following web sites: www.cdc.gov, www.acha.org or www.aap.org for further disease information.

The Department offers the meningococcal vaccine to Montclair, Verona, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Nutley, and Belleville at cost to high school and college bound students. Protection against meningitis requires one injection at a cost of $90.00. If you wish to have your child receive this very important vaccine, please call Lynda at the Montclair Health Department at 973-509-4974 to place your name on the ordering list.