[monkeysmom830]

My sister will be going to college this fall. She will be going to a state university in NJ. When I was looking through her brochure it said that immunizations are required but then it only mentioned meningitis. I told my sister she could claim a religious exemption and then she said "yeah but meningitis is very common in colleges" so I guess the scaremongering got to her. She will not be dorming there so hopefully that may make her exemption easier, although that is just my speculating. I did show her some info on Gardasil a while back and she has decided not to get it so she is receptive to information.<br><br>
So, anyone have any info on Menactra they want to post? I have to admit since DS is only 20 months old, I have never even looked into this vax.<br><br>
Thanks in advance!

 

[spero]

Poke around here - there are threads on Menactra with good links/info. The vax has been associated with several cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome - but the almighty PTB were quick to sweep that under the rug.

 

[LongIsland]

Meningitis is not "very common" in colleges. Hang on - I'll be back with info right from the horse's mouth . . . the CDC.

 

[LongIsland]

This link will open right up to a post with links to the CDC, VAERS and the GBS risk: <a href="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showpost.php?p=7443626&postcount=3" target="_blank">http://www.mothering.com/discussions...26&postcount=3</a><br><br>
In one of the links from the CDC:<br><br><i>This report provides information regarding the <b>modestly</b> increased risk for meningococcal disease among college freshmen, particularly those who live in dormitories or residence halls. It presents recommendations developed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices regarding the education of students and parents about meningococcal disease and the polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine so that they can make informed decisions regarding vaccination.<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Forty-three cases</span></b> of meningococcal disease were reported during the 2 years from colleges with a total enrollment of 4,393,744 students, for a <b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">low overall incidence</span></b> of 1.0 per 100,000 population per year. However, cases of meningococcal disease occurred 9--23 times more frequently in students residing in dormitories than in those residing in other types of accommodations.<br><br>
Vaccination of freshmen who live in dormitories would result in the administration of approximately 300,000--500,000 doses of vaccine each year, <b><span style="color:#0000FF;"><b>preventing 15--30 cases of meningococcal disease and one to three deaths each year</b></span></b>.<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Vaccination does not eliminate risk because</span></b> a) the vaccine confers no protection against serogroup B disease and b) although the vaccine is highly effective against serogroups C, Y, W-135, and A, efficacy is <100%.<br><br><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><b><span style="color:#FF0000;">The risk for meningococcal disease among college students is low; therefore, vaccination of all college students, all freshmen, or only freshmen who live in dormitories or residence halls is not likely to be cost-effective for society as a whole</span></b></span>.</i>

 

[LongIsland]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>monkeysmom830</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7801824"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">She will not be dorming there so hopefully that may make her exemption easier</div>
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She doesn't need an exemption. NJ universities are required by law (see link) to give all the students information on the risks of meningitis, <b>but</b> the vaccine requirement only applies to those living in dormitories. Note that two doses of measles and one dose of mumps and rubella are also required.<br><br><i>8:57-6.6. Required immunization; meningococcal<br><br>
Each new student entering a four-year college or university, for the first time after September 1, 2004 <b><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#FF0000;">and</span></span></b> who resides in a campus dormitory, shall receive one dose of meningococcal vaccine as condition of attendance at that institution, except as provided in N.J.A.C. 8:57-6.11 and 6.12.</i><br><br><a href="http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/college.htm" target="_blank">http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/college.htm</a>

 

[monkeysmom830]

Thanks, LI, you are a wealth of knowledge! That's interesting that immunizations are not required, I figured she'd have to claim an exemption. I will definitely be forwarding this info on to her.

 

[LongIsland]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>monkeysmom830</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7803833"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Thanks, LI, you are a wealth of knowledge! That's interesting that immunizations are not required, I figured she'd have to claim an exemption. I will definitely be forwarding this info on to her.</div>
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The M, M and R requirement applies to all students though. Does she have the second dose measles?

 

[monkeysmom830]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LongIsland</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7804028"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">The M, M and R requirement applies to all students though. Does she have the second dose measles?</div>
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I think so. I think she had 2 mmrs as a kid - she had whatever the schools mandated (as did I) but I think her high school was pretty lax, I know she never got her 2nd dose of chicken pox or her DTP booster.<br><br>
But she could claim a religious exemption, right? It is a state school.

 

[LongIsland]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>monkeysmom830</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7805464"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I think so. I think she had 2 mmrs as a kid - she had whatever the schools mandated (as did I) but I think her high school was pretty lax, I know she never got her 2nd dose of chicken pox or her DTP booster.<br><br>
But she could claim a religious exemption, right? It is a state school.</div>
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The second dose varicella and Tdap booster recommendations aren't requirements yet in NJ schools.<br><br>
In any case, she will have no problem if she submits a religious exemtpion - even if she submits it after she registers. By the time she graduates, they may add more requirements.<br><br>
Just tell her to make sure she has documentation of the second dose measles.