April 4, 2000
TO: Students of the University at Albany
On Thursday, March 30, we informed you that the Albany County Health Department notified the University of a suspected case of meningitis with a part-time commuter student.
The Albany County Health Department has since informed us that this student DOES NOT HAVE MENINGITIS.
While this is very good news, we remain convinced of the importance of the vaccine for meningitis as a PREVENTATIVE MEASURE against the disease. Please consider receiving this vaccine. Some of the facts regarding meningitis are listed below:
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped short of recommending that colleges require students be immunized, the Director of the University at Albany Health Center, Ingrid Porter, M.D., wants you to be aware of ways to avoid risk, and to consider getting the vaccine to reduce the risk of disease. Please feel free to also share this information with your parents.
The incidence of infection is reported to be three to eight college-age students per 100,000. The symptoms of infection initially resemble flu, but progress to severe headaches, high fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck and rapidly progressing rash. Immediate medical attention is necessary in all instances.
The bacterium causing the infection is naturally present in the throat of 10% of the population. However, most people have developed immunity to the bacteria and are not affected by it. It can, however, still be spread to others. The bacteria are most readily spread in the saliva. Factors increasing the risk of transmission are; drinking from another's cup at a party; sharing cigarettes; coughing openly in a crowded environment; and kissing. First year students living on-campus seem to be a group at modestly increased risk according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The vaccine available in the University at Albany Health Center has received some recent attention in the "popular" press (USA Today, 6/1/99; Wall Street Journal, 8/30/99). Initially controversial among health care workers, the vaccine has not been uniformly recommended, but as of October 20, 1999 the C.D.C. Advisory Committee is recommending consideration of its use, especially for first year college students living in a residence hall. The vaccine protects against only four of the five strains of the bacterium and so would account for only about 70% of college age infections. The vaccine is about 85% effective overall for the strains it does cover. Immunity developed from the vaccine lasts 3-5 years.
If you wish to be vaccinated, please call the University Health Center at 442-5229 for an appointment. Shots may be administered between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at a cost to students of $70.00. This cost is not typically covered by insurance and is not covered by the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan.
Dr. Porter invites any student who wishes to discuss facts about the infection and reasons for or against taking the vaccine to contact the Health Center Medical Advice Nurse at 442-5930. Your health and the overall health of the University at Albany student body are of the utmost importance to us!
