Want to Learn More?
No account?
Call 785.532.6544 or
email lafene@k-state.edu
Kansas State University
1105 Sunset Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502-3761
785-532-6544
lafene@k-state.edu
Questions?
Call Pharmacy at 785.532.7758 for current cost.
- Vaccine is available:
- at Student Union during June orientation
- at Lafene Health Center
(Call first 785.532.6544 to decrease wait time.)
Meningitis Information Letter
to K-State Students 
Resources:
Meningitis Vaccine Educational Information (CDC)
Board of Regents Policy - page 36 of document under Student Housing.
Meningitis Information Letter to K-State Students Requiring a Booster Immunization
May 19, 2011
Dear prospective K-State student,
We are in receipt of the Meningococcal Vaccination form you returned which indicates the date of your meningococcal vaccine. Your return of this form indicates to us that your plan is to attend Kansas State University and reside in on-campus student housing. We welcome you to the University!
According to the recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations from April 2011, regardless of the choice of meningococcal vaccine (Menomune, Menactra or Menveo), the vaccine is only protective against certain forms of bacterial meningitis for a period of 5 years. Therefore at the 5 year anniversary, a booster dose is due if the individual is traveling to or residing in an area of increased risk of contracting bacterial meningitis. There is a slightly increased risk for students who reside in university residence halls (5 cases/100,000 population) compared to the general population of contracting bacterial meningitis.
Since the meningococcal vaccine you received was given prior to December 31, 2006, it will not be considered effective to protect you from contracting certain forms of bacterial meningitis for the entire academic year. Therefore, you are required by the university to be given a booster dose of meningococcal vaccine or sign a waiver declining this booster by the end of August for students admitted for fall semester or by the end of January for students admitted spring semester entering on-campus housing.
You can get the meningococcal vaccine booster from your personal physician, your local health department or at new student orientation on campus in June. Or once you are on campus, you can make an appointment for this vaccine at Lafene Health Center. We will be happy to assist you in getting this added protection. If you are given this booster from a source other than Lafene Health Center at new student orientation or at the Lafene site or you decline to get the booster, you must complete another Meningoccal Vaccination form which is available at the Lafene website:
www.k-state.edu/lafene/forms.htm.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Lannie W. Zweimiller, Lafene Director
Robert J. Tackett, MD, Medical Director
