My mother-in-law, who lives near University of Oregon, sent me this article regarding Men B.
http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3282289-151/going-to-extremes-to-get-vaccinated#
Everyone has to make a personal choice if they want to take a risk not getting the vaccine or getting it. At least now that the vaccine is available there is a choice.
But people also need to be made aware of the fact that the existing meningitis congugate vaccine that most teens have received, does not protect them from Men B that caused these recent outbreaks.
I for one did not know that until I was reading about it here on CC.
Yes we were lucky our pediatrician recommended the vaccine to my college age kids, as I was not aware of the new meningitis vaccine. She was clear about the dangers of contracting the disease and I do trust her, which is why she has been our pediatrician all along!
a second dose IS definitely required. Please look into that.
I asked at a recent appointment for a high school sports physical if there was a new meningitis vaccine - the nurse practitioner said ‘no’.
Yes, I told my friend about it when I found out and she said her daughter went for her college physical and they didn’t mention that she needed any shots.
@2018eastorwest Although I knew that two doses are needed, I was surprised that the pharmacy didn’t tell my daughter. I called the pharmacist the next day, and he said “I think it’s just one dose” and then looked it up and confirmed it was two. It seems like the continuing education for health care professionals hasn’t caught up with the availability of the vaccine.
Clearly the word has not gotten out. When I called the insurance company to see if it was covered, the person answering the phone also had no idea and I had to speak to a supervisor, who then needed to research it and call me back. I also called both colleges where my kids attend (or will be attending) and they do have a way to make it available to students, though they were different from one another. Oddly obscure information for something that is potentially a life saver.
My daughter had the vaccine last year at Princeton. She really didn’t want to get a shot but when the girl at Drexel died it was finally enough to convince her to suck it up and get the vaccine.
My son is a rising senior. If he goes to a school that hasn’t had an outbreak I’m not overly worried about getting the Meningitis B vaccine. He has had the regular Meningitis vaccine.
The problem is that you won’t know which school might have an outbreak. They have been in East Coast, West Coast and inbetween.
There have been four college outbreaks of type B since 2013.
"All universities held emergency clinics to administer serogroup B meningococcal disease vaccine to all undergraduate students, and certain graduate students and faculty to help stop the outbreaks. "
http://www.nmaus.org/disease-prevention-information/serogroup-b-meningococcal-disease/outbreaks/
If the vaccine comes readily available I will have my other children get it but I won’t be worrying myself sick about it before then.
Further update according to pediatrician- Bexsero is on back order and they are ramping up production. Trumemba has been easier for their office to obtain and, at least at her office, they are trying to get vaccines to freshman and other college age students first. In time both should be more readily available.
Yes Trumenba was the one my Ped office was able to order, it requires 3 shots. My D got the first in June, she will get the second in August and the third in the spring.
totally unacceptable for a pharmacist! Switch pharmacy!
I could not find Trumenba anywhere in town or at my local health department. However, I had a very easy time ordering it from Pfizer. Here is the contact information for your physician to order it: https://www.pfizerpro.com/product/trumenba/neisseria-meningitidis/support/ordering
I thought this was a nice follow up about the first student that came down with meningitis at Santa Clara University. Ya always wonder what really happened behind the scenes and how it turned out. This infection is so scary and it could have been so much worse, glad he is better and wish them well. His early symptoms/story may be good to know…
Again, this was the B strain, not the “usual” meningitis vaccination you get before you go off to college. The B strain vaccine requires a series of 2 or 3 shots depending on brand (Bexsero (2 shots) and Trumenba (3 shots)) over several months. Some insurance companies are stepping up now and covering it. Otherwise it is around $300-$400 depending on where you get it. In our area, most doctors are carrying it now it seems.
Vaccines are a personal choice of course, but wanted to share what I learned. And if you have a freshman in the fall and you want them vaccinated again type B, it would be good to do it soon because of the gap required between shots.
But unlike most personal choices, vaccines are lifesaving for you and others.
My dad has had meningitis twice. Each time we didn’t know if he would live or die. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
I’m glad the B vaccine is becoming more readily available.
Absolutely @romanigypsyeyes, I am on the same train. Glad your dad got through it. 
Look, your kid can talk about it to their RA if they can’t live with someone who hasn’t been vaccinated.