<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>