Shouldnt Meningococcal B Vaccine Be Required
CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has reviewed the available data regarding serogroup B meningococcal disease and the vaccines. At the current time, there is no routine recommendation and no statewide requirement for meningococcal B vaccination before going to college . As noted previously, adolescents and young adults may be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years of age, to provide short term protection against most strains of serogroup B meningococcal disease. This would be a decision between a healthcare provider and a patient. These policies may change as new information becomes available.
Is The Meningitis Vaccine Covered By My Insurance
Many health insurance plans cover the vaccines that protect against meningococcal meningitis. These typically include plans by Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and Cigna – the four commercial health insurance carriers that Campus Health contracts with. Check with your individual insurance plan for details.
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They identified six MenB outbreaks on college campuses during those years, which accounted for about 32 percent of the total number of cases in college students the rest were isolated cases.
Comparing the rate of infection in college students to non-students, the researchers determined that college students were 3.54 times more likely than others to become infected.
If this paper does nothing more than trigger a discussion between the physician and the student and his or her parents then I think its already done its job, said Dr. Ebbing Lautenbach, chief of the division of infectious diseases at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Even without a full recommendation by the ACIP, at least people can be thinking about it so they can make an informed decision.
Its a pretty rare disease, but if you get it, it can be devastating, Lautenbach said. Theres a high mortality rate and a lot of long-term side effects if you do survive.
Those effects can include deafness, amputation and brain damage.
Dr. Ira Leeds hopes the new paper does only that and doesnt spur officials to mandate MenB vaccination for all incoming college students.
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Is Meningococcal B Vaccine Necessary
Meningococcal B vaccines are recommended for people 10 years or older who are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease, including: People at risk because of a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak. Anyone whose spleen is damaged or has been removed, including people with sickle cell disease.
How You Can Prevent Meningitis
The single most effective way to prevent contracting meningitis is a vaccination. Some colleges may even require that incoming students be vaccinated before arriving. There are two different vaccines to prevent it. The first vaccine, MenACWY, protects against bacteria A, C, W, and Y. It is typically administered to children ages 11 to 12. A booster shot is recommended before attending college, if you have already received it.
There is also a second shot, which protects against meningitis B. This shot is recommended for 16- to 23-year-olds. That age bracket fits incoming college students. If you are unsure of your vaccination history, you can contact your doctor to see if you received MenACWY or not to find out if you need a booster. Plus, you can talk about getting your meningitis B vaccine as well.
Because colleges tend to be in close quarters, and everyone is near each other most of the time, meningitis can spread like wildfire. That is why you need a vaccination for protection against it when you are ready to attend college.
Ensure youre protected before going to college with a meningitis vaccine from Passport Health. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.
Jennifer Passmore is a stay-at-home mom, writer and beader. She loves creating art with her words and through her jewelry. She is also a passionate mental health advocate. You can find more writing at her website Positivity In Pain.
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What Are The Top Vaccines That College Students Need
“Each patient will have a different situation, and their medical records can bring them up to date. Overall, the ones I’d emphasize are meningitis and hepatitis B.”
“Almost every college requires or strongly recommends students be vaccinated for meningitis, especially if they plan to live in the dorms. Close quarters make it easier for bacteria to spread.”
“Hepatitis B is a blood-borne infection, but can also be transmitted through sexual activity. The disease can have long-term liver consequences. The hepatitis B vaccine is a three-dose series, and might be among the safest vaccines ever made.”
“I would also recommend the combined tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine.”
What Is Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis, as it suggests, is a viral infection. A person may become infected with viral meningitis through close contact with an infected person. But, there is a small possibility of actually contracting the virus. Only a small number of people who become infected will actually develop meningitis.
Viral meningitis is considered less severe than bacterial meningitis. People with normal immune systems can sometimes overcome it on their own. Vaccination will help protect against this infection as well.
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You Never Stop Protecting Your Children So Make Sure They’re Protected Against Meningitis
Meningitis can affect anyone at any time, but there are particular bacteria that increase the risk of meningitis in teenagers and students.
These meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis and septicaemia which can kill within hours. For those who survive, many are left with life-changing after-effects such as hearing loss, acquired brain injury and limb loss.
Make sure they don’t assume it’s COVID-19
If your child starts feeling ill at university, they should call their GP or NHS 111 straight away. The temptation might be for them to think they have coronavirus, but it could be something else – including meningitis. Meningitis is a medical emergency, so it’s vital to act fast and seek urgent medical assistance to make sure.
MenACWY vaccine – check it, don’t chance it
The MenACWY vaccine protects against four types of meningitis and is free for eligible young people. Whilst many teenagers and young people will have had the MenACWY vaccine through the recent school and catch-up programmes, there are over one million eligible young people in the UK who have not been vaccinated.
If you’re unsure whether your child has had this vaccine, check with your GP.
Do I Need A Meningitis Vaccine For College
June 27, 2022 By Ann Rapier
When summer comes to an end each year, there is always a bit of a whirlwind of activity, especially when it comes to packing up your items and heading for your first year of college. While it is fun to imagine what your dorm room will look like, there are other things that you also should be considering, like vaccination against meningitis.
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Who Should Get The Meningococcal Vaccines
The MenACWY vaccine is recommended for college freshman living in a dormitory. The vaccine has been recommended for 11-12 year olds since 2005, so it is possible that incoming freshmen have already received a dose. If you received a dose before age 16, you should get a booster before you go to college.
Adolescents Are At Increased Risk For Meningococcal Disease
Anyone can get meningococcal disease. However, adolescents and young adults 16 through 23 years of age are at increased risk for meningococcal disease. In addition, college students have a slightly higher risk than other teens and young adults who are not attending college. Meningococcal bacteria can cause severe disease, including meningitis, bacteremia, and septicemia, resulting in permanent disabilities and even death.
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Besides The Vaccine What Are Other Ways I Can Protect Myself
Practice good hygiene to reduce your risk. Avoid sharing the following: smoking materials , food and drink, eating utensils, cosmetics, and toothbrushes. Kissing and direct exposure to saliva through coughing or sneezing can also spread meningococcal meningitis, so practice coughing and sneezing in your sleeve and encourage others to do the same.
The Meningitis Vaccine: A Must
August 10, 2016 By Will Sowards
Youre all set to register for classes, your schedule is completely planned out. You log-in to the schools website, hoping you can slide into one of your universitys coveted classes. Youre about to click the button to finish your registration but then you find youve got a hold on your account. The university needs proof of your meningitis vaccination!
Outbreaks of meningitis have been cropping up on college campuses throughout North America. Many universities in the U.S. and Canada now require students receive a meningitis vaccine.
Though it could add another item on your to-do list, getting the meningitis vaccine is important. The vaccine is key to keeping you healthy and able to pursue those big life goals.
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The Dangers Of Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease can cause both meningitis and septicaemia . Septicaemia and meningitis can trigger , which is a life-threatening response to infection.
Meningococcal disease is rare but very serious. It requires urgent hospital treatment.
It can lead to life-changing disabilities, such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage.
The MenACWY vaccine was previously recommended only for people at increased risk of meningococcal disease, including people who have had their spleen removed, or have a spleen that does not work properly, for Hajj pilgrims, and for travellers to countries with high rates of meningococcal disease, including parts of Africa and Latin America.
Read about having the MenACWY vaccine before travelling on our page about travel vaccinations.
Do You Need A Meningitis Shot For University
University students Students should contact their GP to have the MenACWY vaccine before starting university or college. If that’s not possible, they should have it as soon as they can after they begin university. Find out if you can have the MenACWY vaccine with the Meningitis Research Foundation’s eligibility checker.
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Meningitis B Vaccine: What College Students Need To Know
A teenager get a vaccine for meningitis B. Credit: Fotolia
A. Most colleges already require a meningitis vaccine for students that covers the A, C, W135 and Y strains, because the disease spreads when many people live in proximity, such as in a dormitory.
Over the past two years, the FDA approved two optional, additional vaccines to guard against a fifth strain, called the B strain: Bexsero or Trumenba, says Dr. Paul Lee, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola.
Bexsero is given as two doses at least a month apart. Trumenba requires three. Bexsero was given to students at Princeton University and UC Santa Barbara after an outbreak of meningitis B that affected at least a dozen students from those campuses in 2013. The life-threatening disease is caused by bacteria that can infect the bloodstream and the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Everyone recovered at Princeton, but one California student had to have his feet amputated.
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices this past summer recommended adding a B vaccination for young adults ages 16 to 23. This means if a medical professional feels a meningitis B vaccine is warranted, insurance should pay for it, Lee says. The members didnt move for a blanket mandate. Theres nothing as strong as that, Lee says.
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Why Teenagers And Students Should Have The Menacwy Vaccine
Meningococcal disease is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.
Anyone who is eligible for the MenACWY vaccine should have it, even if they have previously had the MenC vaccine.
The MenACWY vaccine is highly effective in preventing illness caused by the 4 meningococcal strains, including the extremely harmful MenW strain.
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People With Certain Medical Conditions Need A 2
Vaccinate people with the following medical conditions with a 2-dose primary series of MenACWY vaccine administered 8 weeks apart:
- Complement component deficiency
- Functional or anatomic asplenia
- HIV
Administer routine booster doses every 5 years throughout life to people with these medical conditions. Booster doses will help these patients maintain protection against meningococcal disease.
Most Health Insurance Plans Cover The Cost For Menb Vaccination
Most health plans must cover CDC-recommended vaccines with no out-of-pocket costs if an in-network healthcare provider administers the vaccine. Adolescents or their parents should check with their insurance provider for details on whether there is any cost to them for this vaccine.
The Vaccines for Children, or VFC, program provides vaccines for children 18 and younger who are
- Not insured
- Medicaid-eligible
- American Indian or Alaska Native
Parents can find a VFC provider by contacting their local health department. VFC will cover the cost of MenB vaccination for those
- 16 through 18 years of age
- 10 through 18 years of age identified as being at increased risk due to a medical condition
- 10 through 18 years of age identified as being at increased risk due to a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak
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What Is Bacterial Meningitis
Meningitis bacteria spreads through contact between individuals. The bacteria moves best in situations of close social contact like kissing, sharing silverware or drinks, exchanging lipstick or cigarettes, or coughing. It can also happen over time, like after sharing living conditions for an extended period.
Bacterial meningitis is serious and can be life-threatening. Potential cases should receive immediate medical attention for the best outcome. Early treatment can prevent serious complications, like hospitalization, brain damage, amputations, and even death.
According to the CDC, bacterial meningitis is as contagious as the viruses that cause the flu.
Special Considerations For Use Of Menactra For People With Functional Or Anatomic Asplenia Or Hiv
Children with functional or anatomic asplenia or HIV should not receive Menactra® before the age of 2 years. This timing avoids interference with the immunologic response to the infant series of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine . CDC recommends infants 2 through 23 months of age with functional or anatomic asplenia or HIV receive Menveo®.
People 2 years of age or older with functional or anatomic asplenia or HIV should not receive Menactra® at the same time as PCV. They should either receive Menveo® or MenQuadfi® when they get PCV or wait and receive Menactra® 4 weeks after completion of all PCV doses.
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How To Spot Meningococcal Disease
Symptoms of meningococcal disease can start like a bad case of flu but they get worse very quickly. Early treatment can be lifesaving.
Other symptoms of meningococcal disease can include:
- a headache
- cold hands and feet
- drowsiness or difficulty waking up
A rash may also appear that can develop into a purple, bruise-like rash that does not fade under pressure for instance, when gently pressing a glass against it .
If you, or a child or adult you know, has any of these symptoms, get urgent medical help. Do not wait for the rash to develop. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital.
Although meningococcal disease commonly causes meningitis and septicaemia, which can trigger sepsis, it can also more rarely cause other illnesses. These include pneumonia and joint infections .
Find out more about meningitis.
What Is Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is caused by infection with bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria can infect the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and cause meningitis, or they may infect the blood or other body organs. Onset of illness may be very sudden, and 10-15% die despite receiving antibiotic treatment. Of those who survive, 10-20% may lose limbs, become hearing impaired or deaf, have problems with their nervous system, including long-term neurologic problems, or have seizures or strokes.
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What Are The Different Types Of Vaccines For Meningitis B
In the United States, two types of meningitis B vaccines are Food and Drug Administration -approved Bexsero and Trumenba.
To receive FDA approval, both vaccines had to undergo clinical trials showing their safety and effectiveness. Both vaccines work in a similar way but use different proteins to stimulate your immune response.
Bexsero is produced by GlaxoSmithKline. Its administered in two 0.5 milligram doses, 1 month apart.
Before approval, safety data was reviewed from 3,139 subjects in clinical trials in the United States, Canada, Australia, Chile, the United Kingdom, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. Additional safety information was collected from 15,351 people who received Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sponsored vaccines at universities.
Trumenba is produced by Pfizer and is administered in two to three doses. For the three-dose schedule, the second dose is administered 1 to 2 months after the first, and the third vaccine is given 6 months after the first dose. For the two dose schedule, the second dose is given at 6 months after the first.
Before the FDA approved Tremenba, reviewers examined
People who have the highest chance of getting meningitis B include:
In the U.S. meningitis B vaccine isnt available yet for infants younger than 1 year old but is administered in the United Kingdom as part of the National Health Service vaccination schedule.
What Are The Symptoms Of Meningococcal Disease
Signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease include sudden onset of fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or mental confusion. A rash may also be present. Changes in behavior such as confusion, sleepiness, and unresponsiveness are important symptoms of illness. Anyone who has these symptoms should be seen by a healthcare provider immediately. In fatal cases, death can occur in as little as a few hours, even with appropriate medical treatment. Less common presentations include pneumonia and arthritis.
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