'Do I have this vaccine?' said Bober, an Ohio University sophomore studying chemistry.
Since two students were diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, many students are uncertain if they've been immunized and if they should get the vaccine for meningococcal meningitis, the type of bacterial meningitis that is most commonly contracted by college students.
OU does not require students to be vaccinated, but does require that students living in residence halls submit immunization records for bacterial meningitis to the university in accordance with Ohio law.
Although two meningococcal vaccines are available, both protect against only four of the five strains of the disease, said Dr. Lee Harrison, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh.
The most widely used vaccine, Menactra, was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005 and is about 90 percent effective, Harrison said.
When Kayla Bober found out that she had been immunized for bacterial meningitis, she was relieved.
I called my mom immediately and was like 'Do I have this vaccine?' said Bober, an Ohio University sophomore studying chemistry.
Since two students were diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, many students are uncertain if they've been immunized and if they should get the vaccine for meningococcal meningitis, the type of bacterial meningitis that is most commonly contracted by college students.
OU does not require students to be vaccinated, but does require that students living in residence halls submit immunization records for bacterial meningitis to the university in accordance with Ohio law.
Although two meningococcal vaccines are available, both protect against only four of the five strains of the disease, said Dr. Lee Harrison, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh.
The most widely used vaccine, Menactra, was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005 and is about 90 percent effective, Harrison said.
The vaccine is not perfect but it can dramatically reduce your risk of getting this disease
he said.
Since the meningitis cases were reported last week, Hudson Health Center administered the Menactra vaccine to 51 students as of yesterday afternoon, said Jacqueline Legg, business manager at Student Health Services. The vaccine costs $105 at Hudson Health Center and isn't covered by the OU student health insurance plan.
Hudson had about 20 doses of the vaccine before the cases were reported on campus, and ordered an additional 70 doses last week because of student demand, Legg said.
It's a vaccine we keep; we just don't have to keep large numbers of it
she said.
During pre-college, staff members from the Department of Health Promotion inform parents about the American College Health Association's recommendation that all first-time students living in residence halls should be vaccinated, said Char Kopchick, director of Health Promotion.
The department will also encourage parents to review their students' immunization records with them before they come to OU during the next session of pre-college, she said.
It is having people make more informed choices
Kopchick said. You need to be assuming responsibility for your health and wellbeing.
Administrators haven't made any decisions yet to change OU's immunization requirements to include the meningococcal vaccine, but it may be discussed in the future, said Ryan Lombardi, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
It may be worth opening up that conversation again and examining our policies
he said.
Most public universities in Ohio, including Kent State University, Miami University and Ohio State University, do not require the vaccine.
West Virginia University has required meningococcal vaccinations for incoming freshmen for the past two years, said Dr. Jan Palmer, director of the WVU's Student Health Service. The vaccine costs $115 plus a $10 co-payment at the student health center.
When you mandate (immunizations)
that can be translated into an increased cost of attending college
he said. That was the resistance in the past.
Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis for students whose beliefs conflict with vaccination, Palmer said.
Most people were very much in favor of it
and we didn't see an enrollment drop associated with it
he said.
In an effort to increase the number of Ohio students who are vaccinated, State Sen. Gary Cates, R-4th district, introduced a bill last session that would require any student living in a residence hall at an Ohio college or university to be immunized for meningitis.
The bill, which would provide exceptions for students with medical or religious reasons, failed in committee, but Cates plans to reintroduce it during his term.
I think that if we take advantage of the unfortunate circumstances ... at OU
