Cases of meningococcal illness among college-age persons have been featured in several news reports recently. Infection with Neisseria meningitidis causes an abrupt onset of fever, chills, malaise, prostration, and a rash. Meningitis usually occurs. In some cases, the disease may progress rapidly to shock, coma, and death. The illness actually occurs most frequently in children ages 0 to 4, but cases among college students have received most of the publicity. A vaccine is available which protects against N. meningitidis serotypes A, C, Y, and W-135; it only prevents about half of cases, because it offers no protection against serotype B, which causes 45% of meningococcal infections. Persons receive one injection of this vaccine; a booster may be needed three years after the initial dose. Side effects are generally mild, consisting mainly of soreness at the site of the injection.
In October 1999, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all college students, and particularly freshmen, be offered the meningococcal vaccine. Many colleges are offering or even requiring vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended in June, 2000 that freshmen who live in dormitories be offered the vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently agreed with this. Some insurance plans cover the immunization; we advise checking.
We consider this immunization to be a wise precaution, and we will order it for anyone this age interested. Families must understand that if it is not covered by their insurance plan, they must be responsible for its cost.