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October 9, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Survivors, Families Support Meningitis Education Bill" Providence Journal-Bulletin (www.projo.com) (10/08/02) P. C6
Nick and Nancy Springer, whose son lost his hands and legs due to meningitis, are lobbying the state of Massachusetts to increase awareness about the disease and encourage vaccination of children against the disease. Currently, five states have laws requiring on-campus college students to receive a vaccination against meningitis, and nine other states have enacted bills to increase education about the disease among parents and students. Last year, a bill in Massachusetts requiring meningitis vaccinations for all students was stalled due to concerns that the bill would benefit the drug companies that make the vaccines more than the students who would receive them, that some families are opposed to all vaccinations, and that some people might get sick from the vaccine. Thirty-three percent of the 3,000 meningitis cases reported in the United States each year result in death, and the number of cases in Massachusetts ranges from 50 to 100 per year, with up to 15 percent of cases resulting in death.
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