I never had my meningitis shot, it was not required for my previous school and I never thought about it. Does it really make sense to get it as a transfer? First of all, it is recommended for people aged 11-18 and I am already 20. The school that I am going to is pretty small (around 3000 kids) so it is not like I am in a large state school living on the same campus as tens of thousands of students. Also, if I am living in a program house (they have themed living houses, like “Healthy Living House” and “German House” and “Art House”) they are not really considered dorms, and even if I am in the dorms they are not super large ones. I spoke to my cousin who is a PA and he said that he does not see it as necessary in my case. Just want some other opinions. Thanks!
Well, if it’s required by your school, it’s quite logical that you should simply get it. You should call the school’s student health department to inquire further, they’re the ones who deal with immunization requirements.
Yes, it makes sense. Meningitis is dangerous. A program house is still group housing. Vaccines keep you from getting illnesses that can kill you – go take care of it.
My brother got it in college at a small school, was hospitalized, and lost a semester (and nearly lost his life, as well). You’d be foolish not to get vaccinated.
You get meningitis by sharing respiratory or throat secretions (saliva or spit). This typically occurs during close contact (coughing or kissing) or lengthy (living in the same household) contact.
If you don’t want to get vaccinated…here are things you should never do:
- Kiss or have sex with anyone.
- Go to any classrooms that have anyone coughing or sneezing.
- use communal dishes without bleaching them
- ride in a car/train/plane/bus with anyone who is coughing or sneezing
- sit at any classroom desk or table without first wiping it down with disinfectant
The vaccine isn’t just recommended for people 11-18. Your being 20 doesn’t mean you’ve outgrown the need for it…it means you’re grossly overdue and should have been vaccinated years ago.
We had our D get the shot before she entered her private OOS U as a transfer. I believe she was 20 or 21 at the time and would be living in a dorm. I am hoping our s also got the shot but am not positive. I don’t believe it was available when he entered college and we haven’t been able to monitor his vaccinations much since then.
We also know others who have had life threatening meningitis infections. The shot seems like a very good idea to me.
Forgot to add, my D1 is heading to grad school this fall, and her school recommends a booster. She is getting it (so I am not giving you advice I wouldn’t give my own kid).
Why WOULDN’T you get it?? I don’t understand.
Update- got my meningitis shot yesterday and all went well! I get so nervous about these things, I’m glad I got it over with and now I’m ready for college 
Good for you. Now it’s done, and you can move on.
Many colleges now do require this shot of any student who will be living in college housing of any type, and some require it even for students who won’t be doing so but will be taking 2 or more classes in a term. Any age. I had to get it. I was, like, age 165 at the time. 
Cazoon - did you get the MenB vaccine also?
Not sure, I don’t think so. I got Menveo, that was the brand of the meningitis shot it said on my immunization form?