Rutgers Recommends All Students Receive Vaccinations For Meningitis "b"

NEW YORK - June 27, 2016 - PRLog -- Meningitis Angels applauds Rutgers University for recommending all incoming and returning students receive meningitis B vaccinations prior to returning for the fall semester, in the wake of multiple reported cases of the potentially deadly disease on campus this spring.

The two cases at Rutgers of meningitis B are the latest in a string of occurrences at colleges this year, including an outbreak at Santa Clara University, as well as incidents at Marshall University, the University of Kentucky, Yale University and others.

It is critical to remember that the meningitis B vaccine is different from the other meningococcal vaccinations that are already required for Rutgers students. The required vaccine for Rutgers students does not protect against meningitis B. "Because of my deep, personal connection to this issue, I've long advocated for colleges to require their students to receive every available vaccine that protects them from every strain of meningitis," said Meningitis Angels Founder and Executive Director Frankie Milley, who lost her own son to meningitis.

"Although this falls short of a blanket requirement, I hope more colleges and universities follow the example set by Rutgers in strongly recommending that students are vaccinated before a tragedy happens on their campus."

Meningitis is a bacterial illness that affects approximately 2,600 Americans each year. For 10 to 15 percent of those who contract the disease, it is fatal. Those who survive often face amputation, hearing and vision loss, as well as organ or brain damage. There are five strains of meningitis.

Most colleges, including Rutgers, only require students living on campus to receive the meningitis vaccine for the A, C, W and Y strains, commonly referred to as the meningococcal conjugate ACWY vaccine or MCV4, which does not protect students against the B strain. Students and parents must specifically ask their physicians for that series of shots.

About Meningitis Angels: Meningitis Angels is a national non-profit organization found in memory of Ryan Wayne Milley, the only son of Bob and Frankie Milley. Ryan's life was taken at age 18 as a result of meningococcal meningitis.

For more information on meningococcal meningitis visit www.Meningitis-°©‐Angels.org or www.cdc.gov

See the new MA PSA at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=catfUbBHPVU