With most colleges starting classes again in the next few weeks, its time to remember the need to get a Meningitis vaccination to comply with new Texas law. Effective on the first of the year, it requires all students under 30 enrolling in state colleges and universities to show proof of a meningococcal dose or booster within the last five years – or to opt out by filing an exemption form.
Texas Children’s Hospital offers a short documentary (below) that shows why this was needed, and what this deadly and debilitating disease can do in just a short amount of time.
Reports indicate that supplies may be hard to find because of the rush but, the state has more doses on order and city and county health departments should be able to provide regular updates on when and where they are available. Also many college campus health clinics may have some available doses; however, they may be only available on a first-come basis and may run out quickly. The law does give students a 5-day leeway period into the semester to comply, but with what this disease can do why procrastinate?