Rebecca Scherrer
The Signal
Jamie Schanbaum entered the University of Texas in 2007. Just a few months into her sophomore year, she contracted meningococcal septicemia.
This disease is defined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention as being a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges.
Her life changed overnight; she went from being a normal college student to fighting for her life. Her fight against meningitis changed the way the state of Texas operates when it comes to vaccinating college students.
As of January 2012, all public and private Texas universities now require new students or returning students who have missed a long semester and are under 30 to receive the meningitis vaccination in order to enroll. This new bill, S.B. No. 1107, is an expansion of the House Bill 418, which was introduced in 2009. House Bill 418, also known as the Jamie Schanbaum Act, required all students living in college dorms to receive the vaccination.
Jamie contracted the disease in November 2008 while living off campus. Jamie was rushed to the hospital as her health took a turn for the worse. After Jamie was treated for meningitis, she spent the majority of her sophomore year at St. Joseph’s hospital in Houston, Texas. Jamie underwent surgery in February 2009, where her lower legs were amputated as well as some of her fingers.
“I had no idea that universities put out any information about meningitis,” said Jamie’s mother, Patsy Schanbaum. “I only heard about it from other people. Jamie is the youngest of four children, all of who went to college. I did not realize that this peaked in college.”
In February 2011, Nico Williams, a 20-year-old living off campus at Texas A&M University, died from bacterial meningitis. Williams’ father felt that his son’s disease could have been prevented and that the 2009 bill should be revisited by the legislature. Governor Rick Perry signed S.B. No. 1107, also known as the Jamie Schanbaum and Nicolis Williams Act, on May 27, 2011, which requires all students in the state of Texas under the age of 30 to receive the vaccination against bacterial meningitis.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services states on its website that in 2009 there were 34 reported cases of meningitis among adults 15-29, compared to the 26 cases in 2006. Texas leads the nation as the only state to require all college students to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis.
The National Conference of State Legislatures lists 11 states with no meningococcal disease prevention laws. Connecticut, New Jersey and Vermont require students living in dormitories or on-campus housing to receive the vaccination. Fifteen states, including the District of Columbia, require students to receive the vaccination or sign a waiver, as well as receive information on the disease. Twenty-one states require the distribution of meningitis information among students.
Texas requiring its students to receive this vaccination has made it difficult for some students to enroll. As of Jan. 1, 2012, the spring 2012 headcount for students at UHCL was down 6.9 percent from the year before.
Concerned that the bacterial meningitis shot requirement was the cause for low enrollment, the administration decided to extend registration in order to allow more students time to meet the requirement. As of Jan. 22, 2012, the spring 2012 headcount was down 1 percent from the spring 2011 semester.
“Approximately 60 students received the vaccination at UHCL,” said Susan Prihoda, director of the Health Center at UHCL. “The usual cost is $135. However, UHCL underwrote shots during two clinics at $65 per shot in January 2012.”
The vaccination is also required for international students. Some international students who received the vaccination in their home country were at risk for receiving the shot a second time, due to the difference in strength and strain of the bacteria.
“Most [international students] were vaccinated in their home country so they were not required to be vaccinated again here as long as they provided the appropriate documentation,” said Darlene Biggers, associate vice president for student services.
Meningitis affects everyone, not just students in the United States. Symptoms for bacterial meningitis include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and even seizures or coma. These symptoms usually appear within 3-7 days after exposure.
“Meningitis is often misdiagnosed,” said Patsy Schanbaum. “People look at Jamie and say ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t know meningitis could do that to people.’ [Meningitis] is very overlooked. I want people to realize that this vaccine could save their life. Get the vaccine and prevent what’s preventable. It’s a no-brainer.”