Meningitis threat

About 700 students have visited University Student Health
Services since last Monday to receive an antibiotic pill in
response to the death of a 19-year-old music major, VCU
health officials said Tuesday.

The antibiotic, a single dose taken orally, was distributed
free of charge to prevent the spread of bacterial meningitis.
“We were able to quickly get supplies in bulk from VCU
hospital,” said Betty Reppert, associate director of University
Student Health Services, referring to the antibiotic dispersal
to students.

The antibiotic differs from the meningitis vaccine many
students might have had before enrolling at VCU because it
fights different strains of meningitis than the vaccine. The
vaccination protects against only two of the three types of
meningitis commonly found in the United States, Reppert
said.

At least 400 students were initially contacted by VCU with
the recommendation they receive the antibiotic because of
their close contact with the music major. Reppert said more
of the music major’s classmates were contacted this week and
strongly urged to visit University Student Health Services for
the antibiotic.

Although meningitis hasn’t been confirmed as the cause
of the student’s death, Reppert said, the antibiotic was
administered as a preventative measure.

Yet, for those who were not in close contact with the student,
her death brings new questions about VCU’s attention to
immunizations and the importance of health precautions.
Charvee Patel, a chemistry major, said she was concerned
to find out only full-time students are required to fulfill immunization
requirements after being accepted by VCU.

“I would disapprove (of this regulation for part-time
students), because they’re all interacting on the same campus,”
Patel said.

Jeanine Uzel, immunization coordinator for the Monroe
Park and MCV campuses, said this requirement is not VCU’s
decision.

“It’s all based on state law,” Uzel said, adding that state
law mandates part-time students do not have to abide by the
same vaccinations laws that full-time students do.

Uzel said most of the vaccines required for full-time
students are normally completed in childhood or school years,
including measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, as well as
three hepatitis B vaccines – or a signed waiver not to receive
the vaccines – and a tuberculosis screening. In addition to
this, full-time students must have a tetanus booster within
the past 10 years of applying to VCU.

The meningitis vaccine is also an
optional requirement for both full- and
part-time students. Uzel said even though
it is optional, it is highly recommended,
particularly to those living on-campus.

For many students, cost might be the
deciding factor for this vaccine. The University
Student Health Services offers the
meningitis vaccine for $95 to students.

Students can also be exempted from vaccines
if they have religious reasons for not
wanting to take them. These students must
fill out a notarized Certificate of Religious
Exemption and submit it to VCU.

“That’s a pretty big step to do a religious
exemption form,” Uzel said.

Reppert said religious exemption is not
common among VCU students. Yet, Uzel
said, for the few who do submit these forms,
it could have harmful health effects.

“We encourage people to really think
about religious exemption and what that
could mean,” Uzel said. “(After the form
is submitted) we couldn’t give you any
immunizations . if you step on a nail, we
could not give you a tetanus shot.”

Alfrantz Lolagne, a computer information
systems major, said the religious
exemption subject is a sensitive one, even
though it might open the campus up to
more disease.

In response to the VCU student’s death,
Uzel said students should be conscious of
health issues.

“Make sure your vaccines are up to date
. wash your hands . and get enough
sleep,” Uzel said.

—

LEARN MORE ABOUT MENINGITIS

Watch for
signs, symptoms
of meningitis

 High fever (101 degrees
Fahrenheit or higher)
 Headache
 Stiff neck
 Nausea/vomiting
 Confusion
 Extreme sleepiness
 Seizure

‘If you had close contact’
with an individual
with meningitis or are
concerned for your
health, see the VCU
Alert at vcu.edu/alert
for the most up-to-date
information. If you have
additional questions,
call University Student
Health Services at (804)
828-8828.

-from the University Student
Health Services Web site

Meningitis vaccine and meningitis antibiotic;
What’s the difference?

 Vaccine: optional but strongly encouraged for all
students
 Vaccine: protects against two of the three types
of meningitis commonly found in the U.S.
 Antibiotic: provision by VCU for students in close
contact with the music major or for any concerned
students
 Antibiotics: fight different strains of meningitis
than the vaccine

Should students still seek meningitis vaccines
or antibiotics?

 Vaccine: Yes. Students who have not received
the vaccine are strongly urged to visit University
Student Health Services for a vaccination.
 Antibiotics: All students
who have come into contact
with the student should get
the antibiotics, regardless
of whether or not they have
been vaccinated against
meningitis.

How much does the
vaccine, antibiotic cost?

 Vaccine: $95
 Antibiotic: free
How long is the
vaccine, antibiotic offered
to students?
 Vaccine: offered
continually to students
during immunization hours
 Antibiotic: offered
continually, but Reppert
urged concerned students
to come in as soon as
possible, because after this
week, the antibiotic will be
less effective

Are there any negative
side effects associated
with the vaccine,
antibiotic?
 Vaccine: a sore arm
 Antibiotic: no known side
effects

How may students receive
the meningitis vaccine,
antibiotic?

Immunization hours and
location:

 Monday and Wednesday,
8:30-11 a.m
 Tuesday and Thursday,
2-3:30 p.m.
 Sports Medicine Building
1300 W. Broad St.
Suite 2200
 Or schedule an
immunization at (804) 828-
8828