This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Meningitis immunization will be available to students noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, in the Farinon Center Marlo Room. No appointment is necessary.
The vaccine fee is $85 and can be billed to students’ Lafayette accounts or to a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express card.
The service is being provided by VACCESSHealth in conjunction with the Bailey Health Center.
In addition, flu vaccinations will be offered in November to students, faculty, and staff. The site and times will be announced in Campus News after they are determined.
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy. The infection can lead to permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss and brain damage. Despite antibiotic treatment, 10% of people with meningococcal meningitis die each year from the disease.
Sometimes the meningococcal bacteria can infect the bloodstream. This infection is termed meningococcemia. It can lead to kidney and heart failure, and like meningococcal meningitis, can result in severe disability and death (20% of patients with meningococcemia die from the infection).
The infection is spread by direct contact with infected individuals (for example, sharing a glass or cigarette, or kissing) or through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions (for example, coughing or sneezing).
Neisseria meningitidis is the second most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States, responsible for 3,000-4,000 cases each year. While meningococcal disease overall remains relatively rare, the number of outbreaks has been on the rise in recent years. Whereas there were only 13 outbreaks during the 12-year period from 1980 to 1991, at least 33 outbreaks hit in the five years between 1992 and 1996, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For more information on meningitis, call 877-482-2237 or visit the following web sites:
VACCESSHealth:
http://www.vaccess.com/
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm
Meningitis Foundation of America:
http://www.musa.org/welcome.htm