Meningitis Vaccines Now Mandatory

Starting in 2016 lawmakers made it a requirement for students entering the seventh and twelfth grades in Ohio to receive the Meningitis vaccination. The vaccination is for the purpose of preventing the bacterial infection. According to the CDC, Meningitis can be a viral or bacterial infection, marked by an intense headache and fever, sensitivity to light, and in severe cases, death.  The virus is highly contagious and can be contracted very easily.  Vaccines, in the past, have caused controversy, however, the state says that the meningitis vaccine is necessary.

According to Ohio’s state law, students can choose to opt out of the vaccine if it interferes with their religious beliefs. According to the National Vaccine Information Center families can opt out of the vaccination for religious and medical reasons. Parents have to fill out an exemption form and have it on file with the school district.  College students are at a higher risk for contracting meningitis because they live in close quarters in dormitories according to the National Meningitis Association.  College freshmen are six times more likely than the rest of the population to get meningitis.  Each year 2500 Americans contract the illness and 10-15% of them die from the disease.