CDC urges college students to get 'Meningitis B' vaccine

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - There are new immunization recommendations just put out by the Centers for Disease Control for all students attending an Arizona state university.

The CDC is urging all incoming freshmen to get the "Meningitis B" vaccine before they start class. The goal is to protect students from getting the disease.

"Meningitis B is a bacterial infection, that can be very scary. It can be very dangerous and it spreads quickly. It happens fast, so it's an important vaccine to really prevent against something that could potentially be fatal for students," Melanie Fleck, Outreach Specialist with the U of A Campus Health Services, said.

Health experts say students living in dorms, residence halls and fraternity or sororities are at a higher risk of contracting meningitis.

All Arizona universities require students to show proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Most people receive those vaccines as a child. But the CDC recently approved the Meningitis B vaccine.

"You're coming into college with lots of new people you've never met so you're being exposed to a lot of new germs and other diseases. You don't know who may have what – it's good to know you're covered," UA Freshmen, Steven Madden said.

The U of A is not requiring students to get the vaccine, but they are strongly recommending it. You can get the vaccine at the UA's Health Services Building at 1224 E Lowell Street.

The Campus Health Phone number is (520) 621-6490.

For more information click here: https://www.health.arizona.edu/meningitis-faqs