Schools
CDC to Recommend Meningitis Vaccine be Distributed at Princeton University
The vaccine to be approved at Princeton is not yet licensed in the U.S., but would be approved for this specific use by the CDC and Food and Drug Administration.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention will recommend that all Princeton University undergraduates, graduate students living in dorms and certain others receive a vaccination to to help protect against meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B, according to University officials.
"Pending final CDC approval, the University is prepared to accept these recommendations and make arrangements to provide access to this vaccine as soon as possible," according to the Princeton University report.
The move comes at the request of the New Jersey Department of Health, which has reviewed the seven cases of meningococcal disease contracted by Princeton students and a student visitor since March 2013.
Find out what's happening in Princetonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The University will pay to provide the vaccine to all students, although those under 18 need a signed parental consent form.
In addition to undergraduate and graduate students, the CDC would likely recommend that those with functional and anatomic asplenia (including sickle cell disease) and late complement component deficiencies also receive the vaccine.
Find out what's happening in Princetonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The vaccine to be approved at Princeton is not yet licensed in the U.S., but would be approved for this specific use by the CDC and Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine is licensed for use in Europe and Australia.
The University hopes to provide the vaccine's first dose in early December and a second dose in February. Both doses are recommended for maximum protection.
There are no recommendations to curtail activities on the University campus, although University officials remind the community to pay extra attention to personal hygiene and suggest the following:
- Students with a high fever should go to University Health Services in McCosh Health Center or call (609) 258-3141 during business hours or (609) 258-3139 after hours.
- You may become ill with meningitis even if you have not been in contact with someone who is sick.
- Don't share drinking glasses, eating utensils, smoking materials and other items.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
