The UCI Student Health Center held a walk-in clinic that provided free Meningococcal B vaccines to students insured with UC SHIP from 1-4 p.m. on March 15 and 16.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Meningitis B (MenB) is a result of a bacterial infection in the brain and spinal cord. The risk of contraction is highest in people aged 18 to 23.
There are five vaccine-preventable forms of meningitis —A, C, W, Y and B. There are two different types of meningitis vaccines, one that provides immunity for meningitis B alone, and a second shot that protects against A, C, W and Y.
In an email to the New University, Dr. Albert Chang, M.D., medical director of the UCI Student Health Center (SHC), released a statement to emphasize the importance of preventing outbreaks, and stated that college students aged 18-24 are at 3.5 times greater risk for Meningitis B disease than their peers who are not in school.
“Meningitis is an uncommon but potentially deadly bacterial infection that leads to inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord,” Chang wrote. “To serve in protecting the health of our students, we are offering the Meningitis B vaccine through our Student Health Center.”
According to Brigette Lao, clinical nursing manager at the SHC, most students believe they are already protected from MenB because the vaccine for Meningitis A, C, W and Y is on the UCI-mandated immunization list, while the separate MenB vaccine is not required by the university.
Lao says the bacteria that causes MenB lives in the nose and throat. It can be spread through living in close proximity, kissing, sharing food, coughing or sneezing. She pointed out that these conditions are all seen on college campuses, which may explain why college students are oftentimes more likely to contract the illness.
“You’re talking about sororities, fraternities, athletes, people in [dormitories],” Lao said.
The symptoms of MenB are similar to the flu and can include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and confusion. According to pharmaceutical company GSK, 1 in 10 patients die 24 hours after the onset of symptoms and 1 in 5 patients who survive experience long-term complications such as hearing loss, neurological problems, limb loss or skin scarring.
Lao told the New University that the student response to the walk-in clinics has been “lukewarm.” However, she also stated that there will be another clinic on April 19 and 20 to encourage more students to receive the Men B vaccine.
“And we’re hoping that, if [students] see this, the majority have received A, C, Y [and] W, but most have not received the MenB [vaccine],” Lao said.
Find more information on how to get vaccinated against MenB through the UCI Student Health Center here.
Helena San Roque is a Campus News Staff Writer. She can be reached at msanroqu@uci.edu