Get Vaccinated for Meningitis
What is Meningitis?
The term meningitis refers to an infection of the outer surface of the brain and can be caused by a number of bacteria and viruses. College students who share homes with multiple roommates, live in residence halls or in similar kinds of living arrangements such as a fraternity or sorority house, are slightly more at risk for meningococcal meningitis.
Fortunately, protection against the bacterial transmission of meningitis is available through vaccines and will lower your student’s risk. Meningitis vaccines target five types (serogroups (A, B, C, W, and Y). In the past, full protection against meningitis required separate vaccines. Now, thanks to medical advances, a single vaccine can cover all five serogroups.
If your student started the vaccine series earlier in life, it may be time to complete the series or receive a booster— both available at Campus Health. We invite a shared clinical decision-making model, where a healthcare provider assesses your student’s health considerations and risks, to determine the best course to starting, and/or completing meningitis protection.
How is it Spread?
Meningitis is spread by airborne droplets through activities such as coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing utensils and/or being in close proximity for an extended period. Although rare, meningitis can be fatal in a minority of cases.
Does the UA require that I get the “meningitis vaccine”?
The U of A does not require vaccination against meningitis, but strongly recommends that any student who will be living in university residence halls or Greek system housing seriously consider vaccination.
What You Need to Know
- You may have received the meningitis vaccine protective against serogroups A, C, W and Y, you may need a booster dose of this vaccine if you last received it between ages 11-12.
- A separate vaccine protects against serogroup B meningitis (Meningitis B).
- A newer vaccine protects against all 5 serogroups.
- Many health insurance plans cover meningitis vaccines for college-aged students.
- Visit the Campus Health Travel and Immunization Clinic to receive these important vaccines.
For Questions or to Make an Appointment:
- Campus Health: 520-621-9202 or schedule Your Vaccination appointment with PatientLink.
- Pima County Health Department: 520-724-7797
Additional Information
- CDC information on Meningitis
- Meningitis Vaccine Recommendation Letter
- American College Health Association
- National Meningitis Association
Frequently Asked Questions
Many health insurance plans cover the vaccines that protect against meningococcal meningitis. These typically include plans by Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and Cigna - the four commercial health insurance carriers that Campus Health contracts with. Check with your individual insurance plan for details.
College students, particularly freshmen living in residence halls, are at "modestly increased risk". The overall risk of meningococcal meningitis among college students is low, and therefore the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has not recommended routine vaccination of all college students. However, in February 2005, after reviewing data related to a new meningitis vaccine, the ACIP recommended that college freshmen living in dormitories receive the meningococcal meningitis vaccine.
Most individuals need two doses of a MenACWY vaccine and two doses of a MenB vaccine to ensure adequate protection. If you received your second dose of Meningococcal ACWY more that five years prior, and you remain at increased risk due to housing , a breakout of the meningitis disease or plans for travel to an endemic country, a booster Meningococcal vaccine is recommended.
The older polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune) provides protection for approximately three to five years. The newer conjugate vaccines against strains A,C,W & Y, (Menactra or Menveo) may provide immunity for up to five years or longer and may prevent a carrier state. It is unknown at this time how long the immunity from the new Meningococcal Serogroup B vaccines will last.
Approximately 2 weeks before protective levels of antibodies are reached.
The most common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
There are often additional symptoms, such as
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
- Altered mental status (confusion)
The bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis (Neisseria meningitidi) are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like saliva or spit (e.g. living in close quarters, kissing). These bacteria are not as contagious as germs that cause COVID-19, the common cold or the flu. They are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningococcal disease has been.
Rates of meningococcal disease have declined in the United States since the 1990s and remain low today. In 2019, there were about 371 total cases of meningococcal disease reported. While anyone can get meningococcal disease, adolescents and college-aged adults are at increased risk.
Practice good hygiene to reduce your risk. Avoid sharing the following: smoking materials (vape, cigarettes, hookahs, etc.), food and drink, eating utensils, cosmetics, and toothbrushes. Kissing and direct exposure to saliva through coughing or sneezing can also spread meningococcal meningitis, so practice coughing and sneezing in your sleeve and encourage others to do the same.