Watseka, IL – Doug Corbett, Public Health Administrator announced today that the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department will provide free Menactra Vaccine to any college student whose permanent residence is in Ford or Iroquois counties. “We do have a limited supply of Menactra, the vaccine that protects against meningitis,” said Corbett. “As a preventative measure, we have decided to provide this vaccine to our college bound students for free as a means of giving them protection from meningitis while living in an environment where the disease is more likely contracted.”
According to Corbett, college students are particularly vulnerable to the disease because of the close contact they have with other students while living in campus dormitories. “In fact,” says Corbett, “freshman living in dorms are found to have a six fold increased risk for the disease.” Corbett says that Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection. “It is spread through the air via respiratory secretions or close contact with an infected person. Modes of transmission include coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing items like utensils, cigarettes and drinking glasses.”
On October 20, 1999, the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend that college students, particularly freshman living in dormitories, be educated about Meningococcal meningitis and the potential benefits of vaccination. The Advisory Committee further recommended that immunization should be provided or made easily available to freshmen who wish to reduce their risk for Meningococcal meningitis.
Public Health’s Coordinator for Community and Schools, Dee Ann Schippert, said that the vaccine has been shown to provide protection against most common strains of the disease including serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. The protective antibody levels may be achieved within 7-10 days after vaccination. “The vaccine is 85-95% effective against the named serogroups and lasts 3 to 5 years,” said Schippert.
Normal cost of the vaccine is $100. However, for a limited time, the health department will waive the fee for college students. Appointments may be made by calling the health department offices in Paxton at (217)379-9281 or Watseka at (815)432-2483.
For more information regarding meningitis, consumers may visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website at www.idph.state.il.us click on A-Z topics and then on meningitis.
Contact: Julie Clark, PIO
618-288-1123
Cell: 815-383-6236
jclark@fiphd.org