Search


Health Advisories

8.3.09 - Pre-teens, college freshmen should get meningitis vaccine

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 31, 2009

Pre-teens, college freshmen should get meningitis vaccine

Pre-teens and college freshmen should get immunized for meningitis before school starts, says a state health official.

“Because meningococcal disease progresses very quickly and can be fatal, it’s important that those at risk get immunized,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, State Epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “We know that college freshmen living in dorms are at risk as are unvaccinated children entering high school.”

The vaccine is also routinely recommended for all children 11-12 years of age, those ages 2-10 years who travel to countries where the disease is epidemic, and those with immune deficiencies.

Meningococcal disease is an inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord that is caused by infection with bacteria. Symptoms can include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting and a rash. Prompt treatment is important to prevent disability and death. Ten to 14 percent of people with meningococcal disease die, and among survivors, up to 19 percent may suffer long-term permanent disabilities including hearing loss, limb amputation or brain disease.

The disease strikes up to 2,800 Americans each year, killing 300. In 2008, South Dakota reported three cases of invasive meningococcal disease, two in infants. To date in 2009, there have been 2 cases reported, both infants.

Students can contact the family health care provider or the student health center on their chosen college campus to receive the vaccine. The department provides the vaccine for those 11-18 years of age who are eligible for the federal Vaccines for Children Program (Medicaid eligible, Native American or Alaskan Native, uninsured or underinsured). There is no charge for the vaccine for these children but providers may charge a small administration fee. See http://doh.sd.gov/LocalOffices/Vaccine.aspx to find a provider and http://doh.sd.gov/DiseaseFacts/Meningitis.aspx to learn more about meningitis.

Improving the state’s childhood immunization rate is one objective of the department’s Health 2010 Initiative.


Click here for the Health Advisories Archive