CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR WESLEYAN STUDENTS LIVING IN CAMPUS HOUSING

State of Connecticut Meningococcal Vaccine Law

Effective 2002, Connecticut law requires that every individual enrolled at Wesleyan University and who resides in on-campus housing be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. This means that if you do not have documented proof of immunization, you will not be allowed to live in campus housing, per State law. A student may be exempt from this vaccination requirement with

• Written documentation from his/her personal physician stating that the meningococcal vaccine is medically contraindicated due to the student’s physical condition
• Written documentation stating that vaccination is contrary to the religious beliefs of the student

How to meet the state requirement

A meningococcal vaccine is available for protection against most strains of the bacteria that causes meningitis. There are two ways you can receive the meningitis vaccine while at Wesleyan.

1. Davison Health Center provides meningitis immunization during the academic year by appointment.. The immunization fee can be paid through cash, check or charge to student account. Please check with the Health Center for current pricing. Student Health Insurance does not cover the cost of the immunization.
2. Whatever route you take to comply with CT’s requirement, make sure you have sent written documentation directly to the Davison Health Center for your medical file. Without proof, the State will consider you noncompliant and require that you leave campus housing.

MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

The Meningococcal bacteria may be present in the body with no effect, or can cause serious illness. Meningococcal disease may manifest as meningitis or as septicemia. Meningitis (sometimes called spinal meningitis) is an inflammation of the meninges -the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It may be caused by any of several bacteria, viruses, or other microscopic organisms. The meningococcal bacteria causes a very serious form of meningitis. Meningococcal septicemia is a bacterial infection in the blood stream. This form of the disease can sometimes occur suddenly and be rapidly fatal. Both forms of the disease may rarely result in complications such as gangrene, loss of limb, brain damage and death.

The risk of meningococcal disease is 3 per 100,000 in college students, with freshman students living in dormitories having a slightly higher risk.

Spread

The bacteria enter the body through the nose and mouth and are spread from person to person by close contact or by sneezing and coughing (air borne). Usually, these bacteria stay in the nose and throat for a few days and then disappear with no ill effects. Some people may continue to have the organism for a longer time in their noses and throats without becoming ill - they are healthy carriers.

Why some people get meningitis is not known. The disease occurs more often in the winter and spring than in other seasons When people live close together there is easy opportunity for the bacteria to spread from one person to another. If one person becomes sick, or if there is a healthy carrier in the group, other people may get the bacteria in their noses and throats and some may become ill, usually within two to ten days after exposure.

Symptoms

Symptoms occur within 2-10 days (usually 3-4 days) after the person has been exposed to the meningococcal bacteria. Meningitis usually begins with flu-like symptoms, which begin suddenly, and progress to high fever, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, and stiffness and pains in the neck, shoulders, and back. Often a skin rash of tiny bright red spots appears.

IF YOU HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS, GET MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE PROMPT TREATMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Prevention

Meningitis can be spread by any close contact with a sick person. Close contact means using the same eating utensils or drinking from the same bottle or glass, sharing cigarettes, and kissing.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against some forms of meningococcal meningitis. The Health Center will begin using the new vaccine, Menactra  - the first conjugate quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine licensed in the United States from Sanofi Pasteur Inc. when stock becomes available.  Menactra  produces antibody responses to serogroups A, C, Y and W-135 that are equivalent to the currently licensed meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune). As with any vaccine, vaccination with Menactra or Menomune may not protect 100% of individiuals. The Health Center will accept documentation of immunization for either Menactra or Menomune.

Treatment

If you have had close contact with the person with meningitis, see a practitioner at the Health Center or your personal physician for preventive treatment immediately. Roommates, boyfriends, and girlfriends who have had close physical contact with the sick person should receive preventive treatment. You do not need treatment if you have had only casual contact such as a classmate or working in the same department or building. Preventive treatment is with antibiotics, prescribed by a physician.

If you or your family have any questions, you may contact the University Health Center at (860) 685-2470.  Check out the following link for extensive meningitis information.