Louisiana's state epidemiologist favors legislation that would require incoming college freshmen to be immunized against meningitis.
Doctor Raoult Ratard said vaccinating that group is one of the best ways to prevent another outbreak of the fast-acting infection that killed three students in Lafayette earlier this year.
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2000--Summary
This report provides information regarding the modestly increased risk for meningococcal disease among college freshmen, particularly those who live in dormitories or residence halls. It presents recommendations developed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices regarding the education of students and parents about meningococcal disease and the polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine so that they can make informed decisions regarding vaccination.
The American College Health Association has a page for meningitis on campus.
On February 10, 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted to recommend that all incoming college freshmen living in dormitories be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. The ACIP also recommended vaccination for all adolescents at high school entry and during pre-adolescent health care visits (11 to 12 years old).
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And I've been walking around, saying "Raoult Ratard" in my best French accent
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