<p>We just received a notice from our son's high school that before the seniors go off to college they recommend they get vaccinated by their family doctor for meningococcal disease. Do the academies do this vaccination as part of the physical during I-Day? Or is this something we should plan to do beforehand?</p>
<p>Is this covered in the orders to report? (Sounds like some of the USNA orders have just been received - ours has not arrived yet, much to the consternation of our son.)</p>
<p>Any of you who have been through this already...would appreciate your advice.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, you will be provided a list of shots to be updated or obtained prior to reporting. Including Meningocccalitiosisitis. You are advised to bring a copy of your vaccination history with you. [Incidentally, have your son carry these in his hot little hands, apart from whatever else he may bring with him, in the event he is separated from his backpack, etc.] You MUST present evidence of currently updated shots when requested to do so or ELSE he will receive all shots at the same time during Indoctrination, regardless of whether he had them last month or not. Not a pleasant way to begin the day.</p>
<p>I haven't gotten my permit to report packet yet, but I'm assuming I'll also need a Meningocccalitiosisitis shot. The problem is that we have a shortage of it in Missouri right now (my friend was trying to get one so she can visit family in China and she was told to come back in several months).</p>
<p>Will it be possible to go to a military base and get necessary shots (because they might have them when the civilian sector does not)? Or will they fix us up on I-Day if there was no possible way of getting it before hand?</p>
<p>Last question, slightly off topic: I have a yellow piece of paper where every shot I ever got is recorded (it's called an international immunization chart or something...). Should I take something like that with me to the academy, since I'm not sure what shots I have/n't gotten and so it can continue to be updated, or is there too much of a risk of losing it?</p>
<p>Just got the orders today. It looks like the meningococcal disease vaccination is required by Maryland law for all Naval Academy appointees. Also a PPD for TB, within six months of induction. Looks like a doctor's appointment is in order.</p>
<p>That's interesting. For USAFA, they specifically say what shots you'll need to have, but that if you don't have them you should NOT get them prior to I-day, unless there is a medically viable reason for doing so.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, they also want a vaccination for Hepatitis C, which is an unusual requirement. When I made the Dr. appointment, I specifically told them about the requirement for this vaccine, and they had to order it.</p>
<p>Make sure that you bring a copy of your immunization record with you, even if you send it in, because you don't want duplicate immunizations if the paperwork is lost.
CM</p>
<p>Just re-checked the orders. It just says Hep A and Hep B, nothing about Hep C. The orders are clear that they want all this done ahead of time and don't want to vaccinate incoming plebes unless they have to.</p>
<p>There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C available currently. If you have one let me know so I can make my millions :) The Hep A and Hep B vaccines are required by the military. Candidatemom you are correct in that there is a Hep requirement that is out of usual. Unfortunately I'm having a brain freeze right now, but usual all kids get one of the two and only 'special' people get the other. Being in the military makes you one of those 'special' people.</p>
<p>Hep A is usually given to college students because they live in close quarters. Transmission of HAV infection occurs through fecal-oral, person to person route, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water, particularly uncooked shellfish, such as raw oysters.
Hep B is required in many states now in order to attend public schools and the series is usually completed by age 3. (This immunization use to be given only to health care providers who could come in contact with blood or body fluids).
The meningitis vaccination is now required at most colleges (living in close quarters, symptoms mimic flu, but can be very dangerous if contracted).
Tetanus should be up to date (10 year booster...though I think I just read something about changes to this time frame).</p>
<p>MMR and Rubella are also required.</p>
<p>To be honest, any candidate who has attended a public school in the US should be up to date on the common vaccines. The one's to look for are Hep A and meningitis (this one can run in short supply because so many student are now required to receive it prior to coming on campus).</p>
<p>Whether going to an Academy or civilian college, they all have some sort of immunization requirements to be a matriculated student.</p>
<p>Thanks for the update on the Hep vaccines.<br>
I knew one was routine for schoolage kids, and the other rarely required. When I made the Dr. appointment, I told the nurse which vaccines were required by USNA and she questioned the one Hep (must be "A") saying it is not a routine vaccine. When I explained that the military was involved, she understood and made the special order for it, after verifying several times which one it was.</p>
<p>So...I thought I would revive this thread and at least clarify how USNA is handling this and how our doctor assisted us in getting it all taken care of.</p>
<p>They need FOUR new shots in addition to the TB titer. Polio booster, Tetanus, Hep A, and Menactra. All of them have to be done before they report for duty. The TB, Polio booster and tetanus have to have been done within the year before I-Day. </p>
<p>The doctors offices often don't have all these in stock so you need to allow time when you make the appointment for them to order them.</p>
<p>Because the titer has to be given and then reviewed two days later, you need to go to the doctor's office twice within a three day period. So it's a Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday deal. Our doctor thought it made sense to spread the shots out over the two days so our son got the titer and two shots on Tuesday and the other two shots on Thursday.</p>
<p>I wonder if this is the same for the other service academies. What makes me wonder? Well, our form, which is titled "Immunization Record for US Naval Academy Appointees" refers to "cadets" in the body of the form. I can't imagine why that would be unless this was a generic service academy form that was customized (or semi-customized) for USNA. </p>
<p>Anyway, thought this might help others that haven't gotten to this shot business yet.</p>