Florida urges college students to consider vaccines

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Florida urges college students to consider vaccines

By Jennifer Peltz
Staff Writer
Posted December 30 2002

 
When Florida college students return to campus housing after Christmas break, they can expect to hear about two vaccines the state wants them to consider getting.

Many colleges and universities require certain immunizations, such as those for measles and rubella. The Florida Legislature decided this spring to require every student in campus housing to be immunized against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B -- unless the student signs a form waiving the requirement.

The law takes effect in January but doesn't specify a deadline for students to get or waive the vaccines. Some colleges and universities have distributed information about the immunizations. Others plan to do so shortly.

The law applies only to students who live on campus, at both public and private institutions. It requires the schools to provide information about the diseases and vaccines but not to pay for the immunizations.

Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but severe brain and spinal cord infection that can lead to nerve damage, amputations, and sometimes death. Hepatitis B can lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer.

For more information, students may contact their campus health services or housing departments.


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Copyright © 2002, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.