The new bacterial meningitis vaccine Menactra has been approved for persons age 11 to 55 years old. Menactra will provide the same coverage as the Menomune Vaccine but will last twice as long (10 years). Menactra and Menomune are both available at Drew Health Service by appointment.
A Letter to Students and Parents
Dear Students and Parents:
Beginning in the fall of 2004, New Jersey law required that all new resident college students be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis with either Menactra or Menomune Vaccine. New resident students must receive the vaccine prior to moving into campus housing and no later than their first day on campus. No grace period will be granted.
The vaccine may be available in private medical offices or local public health agencies. Drew University Health Service office the vaccine at a discounted rate.
Preventing meningitis: Drew has been actively involved with meningitis prevention since 1997 and the majority of our current undergraduate students have chosen to be vaccinated on a voluntary basis. Drew University will continue to recommend vaccination for all students who wish to reduce their risk of disease. Although there have been no cases of bacterial meningitis to date at Drew, you should be aware that outbreaks of bacterial meningitis have risen on college campuses in recent years. While the reasons for this rise are not yet fully understood, studies from previous college outbreaks suggest that college students are more susceptible because of their age group and because they live and work in close proximity to each other in residence halls and classrooms. Lifestyle appears to be a risk factor as well.
About the vaccine: Meningococcal disease strikes about 2, 500 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 250 deaths annually. Although it is still a rare disease, about a third of the cases that have occurred have been on college campuses and five to 15 students die as a result. However, there are now two vaccines that are effective at providing protection against four of the five most prevalent strains of meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C,Y and W-135), which together account for nearly 70% of the meningococcal cases on campus. No serious side effects have been reported.
Who recommends this vaccine: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College Health Association, and the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services.
Who should NOT get the vaccine: Pregnant women; students with an acute illness at the time of vaccine administration; students allergic to the preservative thimerosal or other components of the vaccine.
What you need to do: Students may obtain the vaccination at their hometown medical office or on campus. At this time, many family insurance companies are preparing to cover the cost and you should call your insurance company in advance to check. The student insurance plan does NOT cover this expense.
How should students arrange for the vaccination on campus? Students who intend to obtain the vaccine on campus must call the Health Service for an appointment at 973-408-3414 or request the vaccine by email at vaccine@drew.edu. Email requests should include your name, class, contact number, and identify which vaccine you wish to receive. The cost of the vaccines obtained at Drew can be paid through the all-campus card, cash, check or credit card .
Sincerely,
Joyce L. Maglione, Ph.D, APN, C
Director, Health Services
To Order the Meningitis Vaccine on Campus:
During the summer, call the Health Service at 973-408-3414 Monday thru Thursday from 9am to 1pm.
