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MENINGITIS INFORMATION

To the student (or parent/guardian of student under age 18):

New York State Public Health Law 2167 requires institutions including colleges and universities to distribute information about meningococcal disease and vaccination to all students meeting certain enrollment criteria, whether they live on or off campus. Meningococcal disease is a potentially fatal bacterial infection commonly referred to as meningitis.

Meningococcal disease can be easily spread from person-to-person by coughing, sharing beverages or eating utensils, kissing, or spending time in close contact with someone who is sick or who carries the bacteria. People can spread the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease even before they know they are sick. There have been several outbreaks of meningococcal disease at college campuses across the United States.

The single best way to prevent meningococcal disease is to be vaccinated. The meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine protects against four major strains of bacteria which cause about two-thirds of meningococcal disease in the United States (U.S.). The MenACWY vaccine is recommended for all U.S. teenagers and young adults up to age 21 years. Protection from the MenACWY vaccine is estimated to last about 3 to 5 years, so young adults who received the MenACWY vaccine before their 16th birthday should get a booster dose before entering college. The meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine protects against a fifth type of meningococcal disease, which accounts for about one-third of cases in the U.S. Young adults aged 16 through 23 years may choose to receive the MenB vaccine series. They should discuss the MenB vaccine with a healthcare provider.

All private insurance plans not grandfathered under the Affordable Care Act are required to cover the cost of MenACWY and MenB vaccines. Contact your health insurance plan to determine whether it covers MenACWY and MenB vaccines. The federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) and NYS Vaccines for Adults (VFA) programs will cover both MenACWY and MenB vaccines for children and adults who have no health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover these vaccines, as well as for children less than 19 years of age who are American Indian or Alaska Native or eligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus.

Cayuga Community College does not offer the meningitis vaccine or your local health department. You can receive this vaccine from your own health care provider.

I encourage you (and your child, if under 18) to carefully review the State Health Department information on meningococcal meningitis.

 

REQUIRED BY NEW YORK STATE PHL 2167

Cayuga Community College is required by law to provide you the enclosed information and maintain a record of the following:

  • A response to receipt of meningococcal disease and vaccine information signed

AND EITHER

— A record of meningococcal meningitis immunization within the past 5 years.

OR

— An acknowledgment of meningococcal disease risks and refusal of meningococcal meningitis immunization at this time. This refusal must be signed by the student or the parent/guardian for those under 18.

To comply with New York State PHL, download and complete the Meningococcal Meningitis Response Form and return it to the Health Office at Cayuga Community College. Please submit as soon as possible.

Coordinator of College Health Services
Room M-203
197 Franklin Street
Auburn, NY 13021

NOTE: Per NYS Public Health law, no institution should permit any student to attend the institution in excess of 30 days without complying with this law. The 30-day period may be extended to 60 days if a student can show a good-faith effort to comply.

To learn more about meningitis and the vaccine, please feel free to contact the College Health Services office at 315-294-8503, and/or consult your (or your child’s) physician. You can also find information about the disease at the following websites: