|
Routine
immunizations are available at the Student Health
Service. Routine immunizations include Hepatitis B,
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Tetanus Diphtheria
(Td), Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
Meningococcal (Menactra) vaccines and Tuberculin
screening (ppd). Call to schedule an appointment.
Travel
vaccine included all routine vaccinations and the
following Hepatitis A(Havrix), Hepatitis A&B (Twinrix),
Injectable Polio (IPOL), Typhoid, and Yellow Fever
Vaccine
Call
for Appointment
Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine
Miami University is recommending that all
students, especially those living in residence halls, be
immunized against meningococcal meningitis.
Meningococcal meningitis
(as opposed to viral meningitis) is a bacterial
infection spread by intimate person-to-person contact.
It is a serious disease that requires aggressive
treatment for victims as well as preventive measures for
those having had contact with one who is infected. See
the fact sheet below.
In the past, consistent
with the recommendations from the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) and the American College Health
Association, Miami has made information about bacterial
meningitis available to students and made the vaccine
available at the Student Health Service. Two recent
developments prompted Miami to take a further step.
First, a new Ohio law
requires that students living in residence halls on
campuses receiving state support are required to: 1.
demonstrate that they have receive the appropriate
immunizations; or, 2. sign a waiver indicating that they
are aware of the disease and the risk, and have chosen
not to be immunized. This law went into effect for
students entering college this fall and is being
implemented at Miami as part of the housing contract.
Also, the CDC, in
response to a federal government panel that studied this
issue, changed their recommendation to colleges and
universities. The CDC previously advised that colleges
make relevant factual information and the vaccine
available to students, but now is recommending all
students living in residence halls receive the
immunization.
As a result, Miami is now
recommending that all students living in the residence
halls be immunized and encouraging students who live
off-campus to consider receiving the immunization as
well. For those wanting to be immunized on campus, we
are making the vaccine available at the Student Health
Service at the current cost of $100. More information
also is available from the staff at the Student Health
Service, by calling (513) 529-3000.
Fact:
Bacterial meningitis is very rare--the annual incidence
in the United States is 1 case per 100,000 people. But
because meningitis can cause grave illness and rapid
progress to death, it requires early diagnosis and
treatment. In contrast to viral meningitis, persons who
have had intimate contact with a case of bacterial
meningitis require prophylactic therapy.
Fact:
The disease is caused by the Meningococcal bacteria,
which can also cause meningococcemia. The bacteria
cannot survive outside the body for more than a few
minutes. The disease is spread by intimate person-to-
person contact (oral secretions) – kissing, sharing a
drink, living in the same room. It is not spread through
the air. Even persons who shared a drinking glass with a
person who had the disease would have only three chances
in 1,000 of contracting the disease.
Fact:
Most college students have developed a natural immunity
to bacterial meningitis. Casual contact by those who
lived in the same residence hall or corridor, attended
class or ate in the same dining hall does not pose an
increased risk.
Fact:
Meningitis disease is characterized by the abrupt onset
of high fever, chills, nausea, muscle ache, severe
headache, a bruise-like rash in the case of
meningococcemia and , in the case of meningitis, a rigid
neck (as opposed to merely a stiff or sore neck).
Fact:
Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial
meningitis and can be spread through the air. Most cases
of viral meningitis run a short, uneventful course.
Since the causative agent is a virus, antibiotics are
not effective. Persons who have had contact with a
person with viral meningitis do not require any
treatment.
Fact:
One can reduce the risk of contracting meningococcal
disease and other diseases by maximizing the body's own
immune system through a lifestyle that includes a
balanced, healthy diet, adequate sleep, appropriate
exercise and avoidance of stress. Avoiding upper
respiratory infections and inhalation of tobacco smoke
may also help to protect from invasive disease. Everyone
should be sensitive to other public health measures that
decrease exposure to oral secretions, such as covering
one's mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing hands
after contact with oral secretions.
If you have
questions or would like more information please contact
the Student Health service at (513) 529-3000.
|
