Get to know the risk of a college outbreak
A potential campus threat
Regardless of serogroup, meningococcal disease is transmitted through respiratory droplet secretions, such as saliva. College students living on campus in close quarters and having certain everyday risky behaviors can result in increased rates of meningococcal disease.2
Some of the behaviors known to increase the risk of spreading the disease include2-4:
Cases and Outbreaks on College Campuses, 2013-2019.5
Incidence of Meningococcal Disease Among Adolescents and Young Adults by Serogroup, According to CDC, 2014-20168
While meningococcal disease is uncommon, studies have shown that between 2014-2017, the relative risk of contracting MenB was 3.5 to 5 times higher in college students aged 18-24 years compared with peers not attending college.1,6,9,*,†
*0.17 cases in college students vs 0.05 cases in peers not attending college per 100,000 population in 2014-2016 (18-24 year olds).9
†0.22 cases in college students vs 0.04 cases in peers not attending college per 100,000 population in 2015-2017 (16-24 year olds).6
Which type of college/university do you work for?
Public Private
For the most up-to-date vaccine pre-matriculation recommendations and requirements for meningococcal disease, please contact your state departments of health or the institution directly in inquiry or check its website.
*Based on publicly available data from 1,932 campus immunization forms. Data are as of October 2019.
†Six of these campuses allow students to opt out of MenB vaccination.
Did you know there are vaccines for meningococcal disease?
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