<p>The CDC will be coming out with its new immunization schedule on 2/11/2011. The new schedule will contain a recommendation for a second dose of the Meningococcal vaccine at age 16 or older, as the first dose can wear off after about seven years unless boosted. This important vaccine protects against four of the most common strains of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can cause death or serious sequelae, and one of the major risk factors is dorm or barracks living. Immunizing your student protects him or her, as well as other students. Unfortunately, the vaccine does not cover all of the strains that cause this disease, but at least it covers four of the most common ones.</p>
<p>This age group may be missing some other vaccines also:
TdaP protects against tetanus, diptheria and pertussis and should be given at age 11 or 12, but this age group may have had to catch up with the recommendation at an older age.
Varicella vaccine (chickenpox), which was commonly available when our current seniors were around 3 years old so many of them received it then, should have been boosted with a second dose. It does not need to be given to those who have had the disease.
Hepatitis A vaccine is now given in a series of 2 shots, six months apart, to one year olds, but this age group had to catch up with this. Hepatitis A can be food borne.
Human papilloma virus vaccine is recommended in a three-shot series to both girls and boys. It protects against the most common strains that cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
It is not too late to receive a flu shot or nasal mist immunization. There have been a couple of years when the flu peaked in May.
And, of course, your student should have received Hepatitis B vaccine, polio, and MMR in infancy and a second MMR dose at age 4 or 5 but if for some reason he or she did not, now is the time!
You can take your student to his or her health care provider to receive the second meningococcal dose and ask the provider to review the records and make sure that everything is up to date.</p>
<p>At our county health department, the Meningococcal vaccine is administered free of charge to anyone under 18. After 18, there is a charge. So, if your senior isn’t 18 yet, you might check with your health department.</p>
<p>Good point, olderwisermom! In the U.S.:
Your health insurance plan may also cover the vaccines. For those who are uninusured or on medical assistance, the Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines for kids 18 and younger. If you find a clinic that has a VFC supply (health departments have it, plus other clinics) and you qualify, you can actually be 18 and receive the vaccines for free; you just can’t be 19 or older.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. My two older kids received the vaccine when we were living in Europe. Two deaths at two different bases caused recommendations that not only college bound students (my oldest child) but also kids going to camps (my second oldest) should get the meningitis vaccine. Since that was about 6 years ago, I think she definitely will need another shot before going to college this fall. I think I will also have her younger sister get her first shot too.</p>
<p>Yes, MilitaryMom, the meningococcal vaccine is now a routine recommendation for all kids at age 11 or 12, as is the Tdap. And, the meningococcal vaccine is better now than when your oldest received it - because it now protects against four strains of bacteria, when it used to only protect against two.</p>
<p>I have been trying to find an affordable way to get the meningitis vaccine since I started college, and am now a senior and haven’t managed it. The student health center charges like $120 and that’s more than a third of the money I have for expenses until April.</p>
<p>Pretty sure I am about ten years overdue for a tetanus booster, too. My mom insists I had one sometime during middle school but I definitely didn’t. My college doesn’t require any of this stuff.</p>
<p>So our student should get a second dose of meningococcal vaccine about 7 years after the first? Is it expected that it again will wear off in about 7 more years?</p>
<p>Emaheevul07 – check with your county health department for adult immunization clinics, and see what there prices are. If you’re away at school, also check with the health department where your family lives. Our health department offers adults a tetanus/diptheria or tetanus/diptheria/pertussis immunization for $14, and if you live in a dorm (even if you’re over 18) you can also get MMR for $14. The meningitis vaccine is, unfortunately $120.</p>
<p>But one of the nearby counties has a grant in place that provides adult vaccines for free (except for meningitis) to adults who are either uninsured or who have insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines. </p>
<p>Thanks for the reminder. Two of my three boys got the meningitis vaccine in their mid teens. One was headed to major surgery so we waited out of a small concern of a reaction. He’ll have to have it before school next year. Thanks also for the heads up on the chicken pox vaccine. Two had the chicken pox (and my DH!) at 3yo & 18mos. The youngest got the original shot. I’d hate to see him get it as an adult. I’ve never seen H so sick!</p>
<p>Chicken Pox - my youngest got the shot as a toddler then 9 years later got the disease! Just before the recommendation for the second dose came out. So yes definitely possible to get the disease having had just the initial shot.</p>
<p>Is chicken pox that big of a deal? I had it as a kid but so mildly that the ped told my parents to expect me to get it again. I might add that one to my list of things to research. A friend of mine had it in high school and he was itchy but didn’t say anything about being particularly ill.</p>
<p>S2 got chickenpox at age 14 when older brother came home from college with a case of shingles! Older brother had a very mild case of chickenpox when he was 18 months. S2 had the vaccination and this was before we knew they should receive a follow up. His case was mild for his age but he did gain a few scars. He also had to attend a mandatory swim test for all freshman in his hs while covered in scabs. The doctor said he was no longer contagious and the school would not let him out of the PE requirement. It was very difficult for him to put on swim trunks–and this was a boy that had pretty high self-esteem.</p>
<p>If your child had the first vaccine for chickenpox, please make sure they get the follow-up. When S1 was a HS senior he got the meningitis vaccine for college and the doctor did the other kids at the same time. S2 was in 8th grade–will he need a follow up for college or should he wait the full 7 years?</p>
<p>That seems to be around $65 for Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis for adults). Call around local pharmacies for prices. The city or county health department may have it for less assuming that people with less money will be looking there.</p>
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<p>It can be more severe in adults than children.</p>
<p>All three, S1 @ 3yo, S2 @ 18 mo, & DH in his 30’s had terrible cases of chicken pox. The youngest had over 100 ‘pox’ on his tiny face alone. Yes, it can be very serious as an adult, for men especially. I was expecting S3 and had no immunity so was at risk as well. We debated long and hard about giving S3 the vaccine as it was so new and usually the actual disease is uncomfortable, but not dangerous. ‘Usually’ was the operative word here. We didn’t want to take the chance that he would either be the tiny percentage that has complications, or a carrier that transmits it to someone who develops complications. The risk is small, but if we could avoid it we wanted to. It’s a personal choice. A lot if people at that time (around '95) were still opting to let their kids get the chicken pox vs the vaccine.</p>
<p>In any event, I’ll be sure to get the booster for him. They could all use a physical.</p>
<p>FWIW, I was able to get a blood test to check for antibodies for immunity. I’d had a very mild case as an infant so they weren’t sure. I don’t know if this was only done because of the risks involved because I was pregnant. I did have to go about two hours to a major research hospital, however this was 16yrs ago. If you had a mild case and are unsure if you have sufficient immunity you may want to ask if your Dr will order a blood test to check. If the vaccine isn’t necessary I’m all for skipping it, but if your not sure you’re better to get it or check for antibodies.</p>
<p>There have been at least 8 cases of Type C meninococcal disease in Northern Colorado since May of last year. Five people have died, including a 23 year old Colorado State student who had been vaccinated in 2006. Our local health department now recommends a booster after 3 years.</p>
<p>The meningitis, chicken pox, MMR booster and a current tetanus (actually a DPT) was REQUIRED for both of my kids to attend college in the states where they attended college. Without these, they would NOT have been permitted to enroll.</p>
<p>Meningitis shot-I believe the risk is when in closed quarters and stressed (less sleep) like boot camp and college dorms which now include summer camps- that is why adults are not as likely as teens.</p>