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New meningitis bill targets students

Michigan
Michigan Daily

(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Following the deaths of several Michigan students and one student's multiple amputations due to meningitis, a state legislator has introduced a bill to combat the spread of the disease that would make college students responsible for being vaccinated.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Lauren Hager, R-Port Huron, would require that all students at Michigan's private and public colleges receive immunizations against meningitis prior to living in on-campus housing.

Hager said he became aware of the issue when he was contacted by Ed and Pat Wiginton of Marysville, who lost their 14-year-old son Jason to the disease in 1998.

Students living in close quarters, such as in residence halls, are believed to be especially susceptible to the disease.

Hager was also contacted by Michigan State University student Adam Busuttil, who contracted meningitis in October 1999. He has since had to have the tips of seven of his fingers amputated.

"Something needed to be done because I wouldn't want to go through what I went through again," Busuttil said.

Hager said there were two main reasons for his introduction of the bill.

First, "to raise awareness of meningitis as a disease that has to be looked at very seriously," and second, "that people realize a vaccine is available."

For students who wish to be exempted from the requirement, the bill allows them to sign a waiver after the college has provided them with, according to the bill, "detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability and effectiveness of immunization to the adult."

It does not, however, mandate that the universities offer the vaccines at no charge.

"It is not correct for the Legislature to put another unfunded mandate on the universities," Hager explained.

He added that while this is an important issue, he did not favor funding such a proposal at the present time.

The University of Michigan housing director said he was unfamiliar with the proposed legislation and could not comment.

The University Health Service offers a meningitis vaccine for $75.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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