CDC/MMWR Watch [to 30 November 2013]

Princeton University will offer Meningitis B vaccines to recommended groups
Posted November 26, 2013; 03:00 p.m.
Excerpt
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now officially recommended that all Princeton University undergraduate students, and also graduate students living in undergraduate dormitories, the Graduate College and annexes, and other members of the University community with certain medical conditions, receive a vaccine that helps protect against meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B bacteria. The vaccine will be provided only to these groups, and it will not be administered anywhere else.

The specified groups were recommended by the CDC to receive the vaccine because young adults and people with certain medical conditions are at increased risk of getting meningitis, especially those who live in close quarters, such as dormitories.

Since March 2013 there have been eight cases of meningococcal disease contracted by Princeton University students and a student visitor, all of which were caused by meningococcal bacteria known as serogroup B, including the latest case reported on Nov. 21….

…The CDC recommends that all members of the University community who have problems with their spleen (including sickle cell disease) or complement pathway disorder (a specific type of immune deficiency) be considered for vaccination. Those who have these conditions would be required to present documentation or a physician’s note to University Health Services before receiving the vaccine.

Princeton University will cover the cost of the vaccine.
http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S38/54/94A32/index.xml?section=topstories