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Vaccination
At UHS, the Allergy, Immunization and Travel
Health Clinic routinely offers the vaccine on a walk-in basis
during morning clinic hours only (no appointment necessary). Cost
is $130.
Is vaccination recommended?
Yes. Vaccination is recommended for all incoming freshmen living in residence halls. Other
college students under 25 years of age may choose to be vaccinated to reduce their risk of disease.
Considerations for vaccination include:
- Meningococcal disease is rare but may have devastating consequences. Rates of infection are highest
among college freshman living in residence halls.
- There are currently two vaccines on the market, Menactra and Menomune. Menactra is believed to offer longer
lasting protection. Menomune is known to confer protection for 3-5 years. Either is acceptable.
- The two vaccines are highly effective but do not protect against meningococcal disease caused by type B
bacteria, which accounts for 1/3 of meningitis cases.
- Side effects from the vaccine (which are infrequent and usually
mild) may include pain and redness at injection site, headache,
malaise, chills and fever.
The manufacturer lists the following contraindications:
- Acute illness, or immunosuppressive drug therapy, may interfere
with the vaccine effectiveness.
- The vaccine should not be used in individuals sensitive to thiomerosal
or natural latex rubber.
- This vaccine should not be given in conjunction with whole cell
pertussis or whole cell typhoid vaccine.
Please note that the vaccine takes 7-10 days to become effective.
Are you less than 18 years old?
If so, you need consent from a parent
or guardian for meningitis vaccination. For vaccination at UHS,
use the UHS Authorization for
Consent to Treatment of a Minor.
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What are meningitis and meningococcal
disease? Meningitis is an inflammation of the linings around
the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by viruses or
bacteria. Often, the symptoms of viral meningitis and bacterial
meningitis are the same. Diagnosis of both viral and bacterial meningitis
is confirmed by a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Most cases
of meningitis run short and self-limited courses.
Viral meningitis is serious but rarely fatal in persons with normal
immune systems. Usually, symptoms last 7-10 days and the person
recovers completely. Many different viruses can cause meningitis.
About 90% of cases of viral meningitis are caused by members of
a group of viruses known as enteroviruses, such as coxsackieviruses
and echoviruses. Herpes viruses and the mumps virus can also cause
viral meningitis. There is no vaccination or treatment for viral
meningitis (except treatment for meningitis caused by the herpes
virus).
Bacterial meningitis is of greater concern than viral meningitis,
because it is associated with a significant risk of brain damage
and death. Meningococcal meningitis, one type of bacterial
meningitis, is of particular concern because while uncommon, it
does affect college-age students and the disease may progress rapidly
if untreated.
How common is meningococcal
disease? Meningococcal disease is rare, striking
annually about 1 in every 100,000 people in the general population.
Rates in adolescents and young adults have increased over the last
10 years. The rate of meningococcal infection for students living
in residence halls in the U.S. is about 2 in every 100,000 students.
The rate of infection is highest among first year students living
in residence halls, with about 5 in every 100,000 freshmen infected.
The University of Michigan reported a case of meningococcal meningitis in November 2005,
and prior to that, the most recent case on campus was in October 1995.
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Meningococcal disease is a medical
emergency Understanding the characteristic signs
and symptoms of meningococcal disease is critical and possibly lifesaving,
because meningococcal disease can cause serious illness and rapidly
progress to death if untreated.
Meningococcal disease is difficult to detect because it can be
mistaken for other conditions. A person may have flu-like symptoms
for a few days before experiencing a rapid progression to severe
meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease is contagious. If you (or someone you
know) experience symptoms suggestive of meningococcal disease or
think you may have been exposed to an infected person, please call
UHS immediately (734-764-8325) during business hours or go to an
emergency room. Also see Emergency/After
Hours.
Meningococcal disease summary
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| Description |
Includes meningococcal meningitis and meningococcemia,
an infection of the blood. More rare and more serious than other
kinds of meningitis. |
| Symptoms |
Sudden fever and severe headache can be initial
manifestations. Also, stiff neck, mental changes (e.g., malaise,
lethargy), and rash that may begin as flat, red eruptions, mainly
on the arms and legs and evolve quickly into a rash of small
dots that do not change with pressure. |
| Cause |
Meningococcal bacteria, specifically Neisseria
meningitidis |
| Transmission |
Through fluids from the mouth or nose via kissing,
sharing eating utensils or beverage containers, sharing cigarettes
or marijuana and via droplets from coughing and sneezing. |
| Occurrence |
Rarely and sporadically throughout the year.
Outbreaks, which are unusual, tend to occur in late winter and
early spring. |
| Diagnosis |
Confirmed by lumbar puncture (spinal
tap) and by culture of blood samples. |
| Treatment if diagnosed |
Antibiotics |
| Treatment if exposed |
Anyone who suspects possible exposure should
consult a physician immediately. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy
is frequently recommended after exposure. |
How does meningococcal disease occur?
Approximately 10% of the general population carry meningococcal
bacteria in the nose and throat in a harmless state. This carrier
state may last for days or months before spontaneously disappearing,
and it seems to give people who harbor the bacteria in their upper
respiratory tracts some protection from developing meningococcal
disease.
During meningococcal disease outbreaks, close to 95% of people
may carry the bacteria, yet less than 1% of people develop meningococcal
disease. This low occurrence of disease following exposure suggests
that a person's own immune system, in addition to bacterial factors,
plays a key role in allowing the disease to develop.
Meningococcal bacteria cannot usually live for more than a few
minutes outside the body. As a result, they are not easily transmitted
in water supplies, swimming pools, or by routine contact with an
infected person in a classroom, dining room, bar, rest room, etc.
How can meningococcal disease be
prevented? You can reduce risk for meningococcal
disease by avoiding fluids from the nose or mouth, especially:
- Avoid droplets from sneezing and coughing
- Avoid kissing
- Do not share eating utensils or drink from the same beverage
container
- Do not smoke, but if you do smoke, do not share cigarettes or
marijuana
- Wash hands well and often
There is some evidence that behaviors such as lack of sleep, poor
nutrition and drinking alcohol may increase the risk of contracting
this disease.
What is the University of Michigan doing
about meningococcal disease? The vaccine for meningococcal
meningitis is available. See Vaccination
on this web page.
UHS, in collaboration with the UM Health System Department of Infectious
Diseases and other community resources, monitors the campus community
for cases of meningococcal disease.
If a case of meningococcal disease were to be identified at UM,
UHS would attempt to identify anyone who had close exposure and
provide advice and prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection.
Resources and information in other
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