Based on the recent recommendations of
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the Westchester County Department
of Health today recommended that college students consider vaccination against a
potentially fatal meningococcal disease
"ACIP recently modified its guidelines for use of the vaccine to prevent bacterial
meningitis," stated Dr. Harold N. Adel, Westchester County Health Commissioner.
"This applies particularly to college freshmen who live in dormitories, a group found
to be at modestly increased risk of meningococcal disease relative to other persons their
age."
ACIP made the recommendation based on two Centers for Disease Control studies done in
1998 that identified freshman dormitory residents at a slightly higher risk for bacterial
meningitis.
The currently available vaccine protects against some meningococcus strains that cause
bacterial meningitis and sepsis in children and young adults in the United States. A
single dose of the vaccine is recommended. However, vaccination will not totally eliminate
risk of the disease.
Approximately, 3,000 cases of meningococcal disease occur each year in the United
States and 10-13% of patients die despite receiving antibiotics early in the illness. Of
those who survive, an additional 10% have severe aftereffects of the disease, including
mental retardation, hearing loss and loss of limbs.
For more information on the meningococcal vaccine, contact the Westchester County
Department of Health at (914) 813-5000. Additional information can be found on the
Westchester County Department of Health Website, www.westchestergov.com
