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May 9, 2001

"Bill Encouraging Students to Receive Meningitis Vaccine Debated"
Associated Press (www.ap.org) (05/08/01); Franklin, Amy

In Michigan, the Health Policy Committee of the state House of
Representatives is examining a bill that would encourage colleges
in the state to provide students with meningitis vaccinations.
The bill would not, however, force colleges to provide the shots,
and college students could refuse to get the shot without fear of
a penalty.  For that reason, some members of the committee have
questioned whether the bill would actually accomplish anything,
but Rep. Lauren Hager said he introduced the legislation to
increase awareness about the disease.  According to the Michigan
Department of Community Health, there are approximately 100 cases
of meningitis every year in the state.

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