Meningitis Vaccine Required for incoming College Students
(AUSTIN) Effective January 1 2010 a new law requires first time and transfer students enrolling in college and entering on-campus housing to show proof of having the meningitis vaccine at least 10 days prior to residency.
The law is named the Jamie Schanbaum Act in honor of Jamie Schanbaum who survived bacterial meningitis as a college sophomore at the University of Texas in Austin in November of 2008.
The legislation was introduced by Senator Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) and Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) served as the House sponsor. The bill ultimately passed as an amendment to HB 4189 authored by Rep. Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs).
Jamies courage in the face of this disease is inspirational and I was honored to carry this legislation which will protect college students across our state said Senator Davis.
The Schanbaums passion for improving awareness about bacterial meningitis was essential to passing this law Davis said.
Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacterium can also infect the blood.
The potentially deadly disease strikes two to three thousand Americans each year and 10 to 12 percent of those infected die each year.
In Texas there have been 537 cases of Bacterial Meningitis since 2002. Of those 53 people died.
College students living in dormitories have an exceptionally high rate of meningitis. In fact the rate of invasive disease among 17-20 year olds is approximately twice that of the overall U.S. population.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that college students living in dormitories get immunized against meningitis and the law brings Texas into compliance with that recommendation.
Howard a former registered nurse said Meningococcal Disease is easily preventable through immunization and even though the legislation includes an opt-out provision I would urge all parents with college-aged kids to get their students immunized sooner rather than later. Vaccinations have played and will continue to play a critical role in keeping our families healthy.
More information about Jamies journey is available via
www.thejamiegroup.org.
