College officials may have to needle students into getting a required vaccination.

About 6,000 of the 10,000 students who plan to live on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs next year have yet to get their required meningitis vaccination.

A new state law prohibits students from living on campus at private or public colleges in Connecticut without first being vaccinated.

"The response has been somewhat underwhelming," said Mike Kurland, director of health services at UConn.

Adopted in June of 2001, the law says that returning students have until June 1 to show proof of vaccination. New students have until July 15. The law goes into effect for the coming school year.

An infection with flu-like symptoms that can poison the bloodstream in rare cases, meningitis strikes about 100 college students a year across the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About one in 10 cases is fatal. In 2001, there were 21 reported cases of bacterial meningitis in Connecticut, including three on college campuses.

It costs college students between $65 and $85 to get the shot on campus. Many insurance companies still do not cover it. The vaccine offers protection for three to five years.