<p>While we aren't freshman..many of us will be living in dorms for the first time, or at least a different dorm. I ran across this last month and thought I'd share. I know people are afraid of needles and shots but this is def. something to get stuck for..Trust me guys, I work in a hospital, one needle stick is the better option!!</p>
<p>The drug is brand new, so a lot of doctors don't even have it yet. When you're make your appointment, tell them the name of it and ask them to PLEASE order it for you. You may have to go to the pharmacy, pick it up and bring it with you, but..DO IT!!</p>
<p>I say it's not as unlikely as you might think. </p>
<p>Meningitis is said to occur most commonly when you're in a group living situation -- that is, particularly, college dorms and the military barracks.</p>
<p>It doesn't even require that, though. A friend of mine died in high school after contracting meningitis. A non-boarding high school. It isn't that easy to get, but it's still not something to scoff at. A 1 in 1 million chance (or 5.1 in 100,000 as the site says) is still a chance if you've got the kind of system this thing responds to.</p>
<p>Most mailings (for college particularly) cite the vaccination to be voluntary. They have a list of people they very strongly recommend it to, though, and that includes people with weakened immune systems. I strongly recommend that everyone talk to a health care professional about it. It may be rare, but it WILL be devastating if you -- or someone you know -- contracts it.</p>
<p>Even though it's unlikely...there are still somewhere around 3,000 cases a year, that's not something I want to take a gamble with. Meningitis seems to be a yearly occourence in Maryland schools, so since I live here and DC is where I'll be going to school, you can be darn sure I'm getting my arm stuck within the next few months.</p>
<p>I got mine last june before I came to school. Does this mean I should get the shot again since im still gonna be living in the dorms next semester.</p>
<p>Well it's really up to you..this one if different, that's what makes it new. It's a conjugate vaccine, vs. the normal polysacharide vaccine. Don't worry I won't elaborate. But, Menactra lasts longer and protects against more than the other one. However, it's really up to you, I personally would get the new one, but I work in the medical field and am around god knows how many antigens everyday..:)</p>
<p>Well Blackdream...maybe you're invincible. Care to share your luck?? Hehe..I had cancer when I was younger..Twice actually sooo if there is anyway I can help prevent any kind of serious medical condition that will either kill me or leave me an amputee or brain damaged, I'm gonna do it!</p>
<p>however the brain itself only has one form of primative immune cell. it doesn;t really have other immune cells.</p>
<p>because i am an immigrant, i took multiple shots of vaccination, including mengintis(sp), so if i sound like invincible, that's because i am pretty much protected.</p>
<p>but yeah, i think everyone should go and take those shots. it only takes a short time compare to if you actually get sick.</p>