Immunizations
Recommended Immunizations
Meningococcal
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends meningococcal vaccination for all incoming college freshmen. College freshmen who live in dormitories are at higher risk for meningococcal disease compared with other people of the same age. Because of the feasibility constraints in targeting freshmen in dormitories, colleges may elect to target their vaccination campaigns to all matriculating freshmen. The risk for meningococcal disease among nonfreshman college students is similar to that for the general population of similar age (18-24 years). However, the vaccines are safe and immunogenic and therefore can be provided to nonfreshman college students who want to reduce their risk for meningococcal disease.*
*Source: www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/mening/mcv4/mcv4_acip.htm
Hepatitis B
Age indicated
Series of three doses (given at 0,1-2 months, and 6-12 months) prior to college entry. A series of two adult doses may be given to adolescents 11-15 years of age (given at 0 and 4-6 months). Combined hepatitis A and B vaccines may be given as a series of three doses (given at 0, 1-2 months, and 6-12 months).
For more information: www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hep-b.txt
Hepatitis A
Major indications
Recommended for routine use in adolescents through the age of 18 in some states and regions and for certain high-risk groups (for example, persons traveling to countries where hepatitis A is moderately or highly endemic, men who have sex with men, users of injectable and noninjectable drugs, persons who have clotting-factor disorders, persons working with nonhuman primates and persons with chronic liver disease).
For more information: www.immunize.org/catg.d/2190hepa.pdf
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
Age indicated
Primary series in childhood with DTaP or DTP, booster at age 11-12 years with TdaP if at least five years has elapsed since the last dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine, then every 10 years.
Polio Vaccine
Age indicated
Primary series in childhood with IPV alone, OPV alone or IPV/OPV sequentially; booster only if needed for travel after age 18 years.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Major indications
All entering college students without history of the disease or without age-appropriate immunization or with a negative antibody titer.
Major precautions
Pregnancy, history of hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to any of the components in the vaccine. Guidelines exist for vaccination of persons with altered immuno competence.
For more information: www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-varicella.pdf
Influenza
Major indications
College students at high risk of complications from the flu such as diabetics or asthmatics or patients with certain immunodeficiencies, and any student who wants to minimize disruption of routine activities during epidemics. Health sciences students with patient contact.
For more information: www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
Human Papilloma Virus
Gardasil is the vaccine that is now available for the prevention of some of the human papilloma viruses. It consists of a series of three injections administered over a six-month period. It is recommended for females ages 11 to 16.
For more information: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr56e312a1.htm