New law requires meningitis vaccination

Valerie Russell

The Signal

Texas college students who do not receive the meningococcal (bacterial meningitis) vaccine at least 10 days prior to the first day of the spring 2012 semester, Jan. 17, will not be able to attend class.

Meningococcal disease prevention among college students has been declared a law by Texas lawmakers.

Act S.B. No. 1107, also known as the Jamie Schanbaum and Nicolis Williams Act, was passed by the Texas Legislature May 6. Schanbaum is a survivor of meningococcal septicemia since 2008, and Williams fell victim to bacterial meningitis in 2011. Schanbaum and Williams were both attending Texas colleges at the time they contracted the disease.

The state law requires Texas college students to get the meningitis vaccine (MCV4). It applies to new students or returning students who have missed a long semester under the age of 30. The law will be implemented at UHCL for the spring 2012 semester.

“This law has the potential to save lives,” said Texas State Representative Carol Alvarado, District 145. “The law as previously enacted only required students living in on-campus housing to be vaccinated; however, that left a gap of students who did not live in on-campus housing but could still be exposed to the disease.

“The law was extended to students living off campus because they were just as susceptible to the disease as students living in on-campus housing. It is unfortunate that students, such as Nicolis Williams from Texas A&M, could have been alive today if they would have received the vaccination. We wanted to make sure that students who were susceptible to the disease would now be covered, and another life would not be lost to something that could have been preventable.”

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ depending on the cause.

Viral meningitis is generally less severe and clears up without specific treatment. But bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities or death.

“First signs or symptoms of meningitis are significant high fever, such as 103-104 degrees, severe headache and stiff neck,” said Susan Leitner Prihoda, R.N., M.S., family nurse practitioner and director of health and disability services. “Individuals experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.”

During 2005-2010, 1,000 cases of meningitis were reported annually. Of the individuals infected, 10 to 14 percent died, even when treated early with antibiotics. Of the patients who recover from the bacterial disease, 11 to 19 percent have permanent hearing loss, mental retardation or loss of limbs, notes the Center for Disease Control on its website (http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis).

Anyone can contract viral or bacterial meningitis but persons with an increased risk are infants, people with certain medical conditions, such as lack of a spleen, military recruits, college freshman who live in dormitories, and teenagers 15-19 years old. The risk derives from individuals living in close quarters.

This is where prevention becomes important for those at higher risk of contracting the disease.

“Bacterial meningitis is contagious,” notes Kim, information representative with the CDC. “The bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (for example, through coughing or kissing). Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu. Also, the bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.”

“UHCL has not had a case of bacterial meningitis among its faculty, staff or students,” Prihoda said.

New students at UHCL will have to turn in proof of vaccination with their admissions package to the Student Assistance Center to be able to register for classes. Students need to be aware that if they have not provided proof of vaccination, they will not be able to register for spring classes.

The Office of Academic Records is accepting vaccine records of students. Early registration for spring 2012 begins Oct. 31. There is a 10-day waiting period after students turn in their vaccine verification to when they will be allowed to register for classes.

Although countries outside of the U.S may vaccinate for different strains of bacterial meningitis, UHCL will accept these vaccination records.

“UHCL will accept international vaccination records for international students as long as it is readable,” Prihoda said.

Students can get the meningitis vaccine on campus at Health and Disabilities Services SSB 1301, for $135 (no appointment needed). Krogers grocery store offers the vaccine at $150 and most family health care facilities are offering the vaccine for a fee.

“The vaccination is expensive,” Prihoda said. “I have not found any places that offer the vaccine at a subsidized cost. Some health insurance providers will pay for immunizations. If you receive the shot at UHCL students will have to pay the full amount directly to UHCL and then provide payment information to their health insurance company to be reimbursed.”