Frequently Asked Questions

What is meningococcal disease?

What are the symptoms?

I want to know more about the vaccine

How much does it cost?

Meningococcal Disease

It is important that college students consider vaccination to reduce the risk for potentially fatal meningococcal disease. Studies have shown that college students who live in residence halls or dormitories have a slightly higher risk of meningococcal disease .

Maryland law requires that students enrolled at the Johns Hopkins University who live in the dormitories or residence halls be vaccinated for this disease. 

Students may be exempt from this requirement if a waiver has been signed after reviewing the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine. If the individual is under 18 years of age, the individual's parents or legal guardian may sign the waiver after reviewing the appropriate information and making an informed decision.

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Meningococcal Meningitis

Information provided by the American College Health Association (ACHA)

Meningococcal Information

Provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Meningococcal Disease Update

Information from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

INFORMATION ON MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

Meningococcal is a rare, but serious, bacterial infection. It can cause meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings), and it can also infect the blood stream.

Approximately 2,600 people in the United States get meningococcal disease each year. 10-15% of these individuals die despite antibiotic treatment. 

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis. There are 5 serotypes of Neisseria meningitidis (serotypes A, B, C, Y, W-135). 

Because meningococcal meningitis can cause severe illness and death, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial.

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SYMPTOMS

Early signs of meningitis may include fever, severe headache, and neck stiffness. A flat red rash may develop. Some individuals will have nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to bright lights. Others may develop confusion and sleepiness. 

Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly. With early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics, the  chances of full recovery are increased. 

The use of antibiotics is recommended for individuals with documented significant exposure to an infected individual.

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VACCINATION

The Student Health and Wellness Center at the Johns Hopkins University offers Menactra®  to students who choose to receive this immunization.  

Menactra® is a commercially available meningococcal polysaccharide injectable vaccine that is used to protect against meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. It is approximately 90% effective against these strains. No protection is provided for Group B meningitis. 

Immunization is recommended for college students who live in dormitories because of their modestly increased risk of possible exposure.  It is also recommended for anyone who has a damaged spleen, or whose spleen has been removed or anyone who has an immune system disorder.

The vaccine should not be given if the person to receive the vaccine has:

• history of a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine

• symptoms of illness and fever of 101 degrees or higher

Side effects of the vaccine are mild and infrequent, consisting primarily of redness or pain at the site of the injection that may last 1-2 days. A small percentage of recipients may develop a fever after vaccination. If a high fever develops, please consult a physician.  Serious allergic reactions, within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot, are very rare. 

For further information on the meningococcal vaccine, please see the Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) provided by the Centers for Disease Control. (The is in PDF format.)

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COST

The Menactra vaccine is available at the Student Health and Wellness Center for $87.00 (price subjective to change). Students who have the Johns Hopkins University Health Insurance Plan pay $8.00. 

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References:

 

Ascherio A, Rimm EB, et al. Dietary fat and risk of coronary heart disease in men: Cohort follow up study in the United States. BMJ 1996;313:84.

 

Hu FB, et al. Dietary fat intake and the risk of coronary heart disease in women. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1491.

 

Hu FB, et al. Optimal diet for prevention of coronary heart disease. JAMA 2002;288:2569.

 

Joshipura KJ, et al. The effect of fruit and vegetable intake on risk for coronary heart disease. Ann Intern Medicine 2001; 134:1106.

 

NIH Consensus Development Panel on Optimum Calcium Intake. JAMA 1994;272:1942.

 

Rimm EB, et al. Vegetable, fruit, and cereal fiber intake and risk of coronary heart disease among men. JAMA 1996;275:447.