PRINCETON (WVVA) - According to the West Virginia Association of School Nurses, less than half, 46%, of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 are vaccinated against meningitis. Although many kinds of bacteria can cause meningitis, there are new guidelines that will try to prevent one kind of bacteria from causing it.
According to Mercer County Health Department Nurse Judy Bolton, "the vaccine we're talking about is to prevent meningococcal meningitis. So its a bacteria called neisseria meningitidis bacteria, and its one that many times will cause meningitis when you get infected with this bacteria."
In addition to this vaccine, students are required to have a vaccine for tetanus as well. Parents of elementary and middle school students should be aware of these new regulations, as well as parents with children in high school.
"What they need to know is there's no provisional admission to school if they don't have the shot on the first day of school, these two vaccines, they will not be allowed to attend school. that includes 7th graders, but also kids entering the 12th grade. They're checking for that second booster of meningococcal meningitis."
Although these teens are vaccinated years before they enter high school, it is still important that they get a booster shot.
"The reason for the 2nd dose is because the most common age group to get meningococcal meningitis is people in their early 20's, so in order to make sure that this period is covered, then the recommendation, which is a new recommendation, is that they have the booster between 16 and 18."
Parents can contact their local health department for any questions and for places giving vaccinations.
