Why should college students consider preventative vaccination with the meningococcal vaccine?
In the past, vaccination usually has been delayed until an outbreak of meningitis occurs. The problem with this strategy is that because outbreaks, while rare, are clustered in time, and because onset of symptoms is extremely rapid, for many students post-exposure vaccine may be too late to provide real protection. In addition, immunity after vaccination can take 1–2 weeks to develop. Pre-exposure vaccination also eliminates the fear of not being vaccinated in time. In light of these facts and the growing number of outbreaks on college campuses in recent years, the American College Health Association recommends that all college students consider vaccination against meningitis to protect themselves against this serious disease. In addition, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recently modified its guidelines for use of the polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine to prevent bacterial meningitis. Based on the results of two CDC studies conducted in 1998 which identifi
In the past, vaccination usually has been delayed until an outbreak of meningitis occurs. The problem with this strategy is that because outbreaks, while rare, are clustered in time, and because onset of symptoms is extremely rapid, for many students post-exposure vaccine may be too late to provide real protection. In addition, immunity after vaccination can take 1-2 weeks to develop. Pre-exposure vaccination also eliminates the fear of not being vaccinated in time.
