By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

DAUGHTER NEEDS MENINGITIS VACCINE AND FULL “SHOT RECORD” CHECK

Question: My child is going to college next fall. I just got a letter from her college recommending that she have a meningitis vaccine before starting school. Do you think she should have this? Are there other immunizations she needs at her age?

Answer: I, too, have a daughter starting college in the fall, and she will be getting her meningitis vaccine soon. The vaccine you refer to is for bacterial meningitis, which can be a fatal disease. College freshmen living in dormitories are at significant risk for meningococcal meningitis. This disease can rapidly spread through any living community where people are housed together in close quarters. Army barracks have also been known to have serious outbreaks of this disease.

Usually after one or two cases, the public or military health authorities can stop further spread, but the first few cases are often fatal. When a person does recover from a case of bacterial meningitis, he or she can suffer permanent brain damage. The seriousness of the disease and the relative ease of preventing it are why all of my children have had or will have meningitis vaccine before starting college -- so should yours.

There are other immunizations that you should be sure are up to date before your daughter starts college, as well. In fact, this applies to other readers who have children who may be a few years away from high school graduation. Use the following information to determine if your child’s “shot record” indicates that he or she is under-immunized. If so, you should get your child’s immunizations caught up.

First thing to check on is your child’s immunization against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough). According to the National Institutes of Health, immunization against all three of these diseases is recommended for all infants and children from 2 months of age up to their 7th birthday. Those 7 and older should receive immunizing agents that contain only diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and not pertussis vaccine. And, while you are at it, check your own record. There are probably many adults who are overdue for a diphtheria and tetanus booster. Adults should receive these booster shots every 10 years for the rest of their lives.

Your child should have had two measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunizations after the age of 1. Most states require the second shot before starting elementary school.

The Hepatitis B vaccine was introduced in the mid to late 1980s, and many college age men and women still have not received this immunization. Given as a three-shot series over a six-month period, it prevents hepatitis B, which is transmitted through blood products or sexual contact. Often there are no symptoms, but it can cause illness. If you child is entering a health-related field like medicine or nursing, it is especially important that they receive this series.

Finally, the varicella vaccine for chickenpox should be given if you daughter has not had chickenpox. Adults do get chickenpox, and it can be a serious illness in an adult. The vaccine is a two-shot series, with the doses given at least four weeks apart.

So pull out her shot record and call your doctor or health department to get these vaccines started. Having her fully immunized will give you one less thing to worry about as you send your daughter off to college.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.