WHERE CAN I GET THE MENINGITIS B VACCINE?
Visit this page for a list of times and locations where you can get the vaccine.WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE MENINGITIS B VACCINE?
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, but can also be caused by physical injury, cancer or certain drugs. WHAT CAUSES MENINGITIS?
Neisseria meningitidis is a bacterium that causes meningitis and other serious infections. The 6 subtypes of these bacteria are responsible for most meningococcal disease worldwide. Type B causes approximately 50% of the cases in Oregon and is suspected to be the cause of the 2015 UO outbreak of meningococcal disease.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, and early symptoms are not easily recognized and are difficult to distinguish from other more common infections like the flu. These include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff Neck
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Rash
Students who notice these symptoms (in themselves, friends, or others), should contact the University Health Center at 541-346-2770.
If the symptoms are unusually sudden or severe, they should consider going directly to a local emergency room.
Some people are carriers of the bacteria and show no symptoms. The disease is unpredictable, and no one really knows all the reasons why some carriers become sick while others do not.
If the symptoms are unusually sudden or severe, they should consider going directly to a local emergency room.
Some people are carriers of the bacteria and show no symptoms. The disease is unpredictable, and no one really knows all the reasons why some carriers become sick while others do not.
IS THERE A VACCINE?
The Meningitis B vaccine was approved by the CDC for limited use (by currently-enrolled UO undergraduate students and those in high-risk populations) to prevent the spread of meningococcal disease during the 2015 outbreak. There are 2 Type B vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 and 2015:
- Trumenba® is approved for use in people 10-25 years of age as a 3-dose series.
- Bexsero® is approved for use in people 10-25 years of age as a 2-dose series.
In an emergency, pharmacists may vaccinate, by state protocol, individuals 11 years of age and older with any approved vaccine. Other healthcare providers may vaccinate individuals 10 years of age and older.
There are several FDA approved 4-strain (MCV4) vaccines that have been available for many years. These include:
There are several FDA approved 4-strain (MCV4) vaccines that have been available for many years. These include:
- Menveo® is approved for use in people 2 to 55 years of age
- Menactra® is approved for use in people 9 months to 55 years of age
Many people have already received a 4-strain vaccine as adolescents. The newer subtype B vaccines compliment the 4-strain vaccine.
SHOULD I BE VACCINATED?
The Health Center has the new Type B vaccine that was was approved by the CDC for limited use (by currently-enrolled UO undergraduate students and those in high-risk populations) to prevent the spread of meningococcal disease during the 2015 outbreak. This vaccine is different from the 4-strain vaccine that many students received as adolescents. For those students that qualify to receive the vaccine during the 2015 outbreak, we are recommending both vaccines for maximum protection.
Visit this page for information about getting the Meningitis B Vaccine.
Visit this page for information about getting the Meningitis B Vaccine.
HOW IS MENINGITIS SPREAD?
Meningitis is generally transmitted through direct exchange of respiratory and throat secretions by close personal contact, such as sharing drinks or kissing. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as the common cold or the flu. In order for the illness to spread, a person would need to have close contact with the patient for several hours in a seven day period.
HOW CAN I PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MENINGITIS?
Get VaccinatedDO NOT SHARE:
- drinking glasses/cups
- water bottles
- utensils
- toothbrushes
- cosmetics
- cigarettes/e-cigarettes/hookah
Don’t drink out of a common source such as a punchbowl
Cough into a sleeve or tissue
Know that kissing poses a risk
Wash and sanitize your hands often
Cough into a sleeve or tissue
Know that kissing poses a risk
Wash and sanitize your hands often
Links
CDC: MeningitisCDC: Meningococcal Disease
CDC: Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine & Outbreaks
FDA approves Bexsero Vaccine
FDA approves Trumenba Vaccine
FDA information on Menevo Vaccine
FDA information on Menactra Vaccine
page updated 5/28/15
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