Due to last year’s outbreak of meningitis across Connecticut, which included two students at Fairfield University, the state legislature has made a law requiring all students living in campus residences to be vaccinated against it.
The law goes into effect this upcoming fall. Consequently, all current students who are going to live on campus next year will have to get the vaccination, which includes residents of the townhouses and apartments. According to Anne Cole of the Health Center, there are 1,080 students who will need to get the vaccination. Students who do not abide by the new law will be unable to receive their room key.
In response, the Health Center is sponsoring a vaccination clinic on April 24 from 12-4 p.m. No appointment is necessary and students can charge the $85 fee to their student account if they do not wish to bring check, cash, or credit card.
Bacterial meningitis is a life threatening disease and is considered a public health hazard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, college students living in dormitories have a six times greater chance of contracting the disease than ordinary people.
“The two students who were diagnosed with meningitis last year are both doing fine,” said Cole. “The key to their success was early detection.”
Connecticut State Legislature is not allowing for any chances when dealing with a disease whose after effects include mental retardation, hearing loss, and the loss of limbs. Delicate measures are needed in that symptoms are so ordinary that they can be confused with the common cold.
“Even though its appears to be another hassle we have to deal with,” said Greg Batista ’05, “it’s hard to argue with a law that aims at protecting the student body as a whole.”
“I received a shot when I went to college because I saw the effects of meningitis on a student at a high school near my home,” said Alison Scanlan ’02. “The guy had lost both his legs in a matter of months.”
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