A shot at change for meningitis vaccine

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Meningitis kills hundreds in the United States every year.

It mainly affects teenagers and college students, which is why there is a renewed push at the state Capitol Wednesday to require all college students to be vaccinated against meningitis.

Just last year, a House bill went into affect that requires all college students that want to live on campus to have the meningitis vaccine. However, you don't need one if you live off campus.

But Senate Bill 1107 has been written as a result of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices now stating that all kids ages 11 or 12 should receive a meningitis vaccine -- in addition to a booster dose at 16 that will provide immunity until they are 21.

It would require all first-time students entering a college to receive a meningitis vaccine within five years of entering school.

Studies show that since college students live within close proximity to each other, they are at a higher risk of contracting the illness.

Meningitis is the inflammation of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. If it progresses, it can cause hearing loss, brain damage or the loss of limbs.

Several people are scheduled to testify Wednesday before the Senate Higher Education Committee about this bill, including a father who lost his 20-year-old son in February to the illness.

He lived off campus at Texas A&M University, so he wasn't required to be vaccinated.

"He just had a whole bright future, never had any problems with him. And he was this great kid, and I just hate he won't have an opportunity to live out his life," said Greg Williams.

Since 2002, meningitis has killed 600 people here in Texas and 3,000 within the United States.

"The good news is: It is a rare disease. But when it strikes, it is very devastating," said Immunization Partnership President and CEO Anna Dragsbaek. "It can cause permanent disability, loss of limbs. It can cause neurological damage. It can cause people to die."

For those who don't believe in vaccinations, they can opt out of getting vaccinated if they provide the university a letter from a physician that says receiving the vaccine would be hazardous to their health.