King's College - Health Center

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania mandates that students living in college-owned and operated residence halls must either provide written documentation of meningitis immunization or sign a waiver to indicate they have been informed about the disease and vaccine and have chosen not to be immunized.

Please note that receiving the vaccine is not required for admission to the college and is totally voluntary at this time.

Students who fail to submit the Meningitis Vaccination Record will be placed on administrative HOLD following the first week of classes and remain on HOLD until compliance is documented with Student Health Center. This means the student is unable to register for the next semester, obtain transcripts or receive a diploma.

If the student is under 18 years of age, and chooses to be vaccinated, the parent/guardian must consent to the vaccination and sign the Meningitis Vaccination Record on behalf of the minor.

Students who have received the vaccine during the past three years do not need to be revaccinated.

The vaccine can be obtained on campus during the first weeks of fall semester. The cost of the vaccine is $100.00 and will be added to the student's account. The vaccination clinic dates will be emailed to the student through the college email system. Please call the Student Health Center at 570-208-5852 with questions regarding meningitis vaccination.

PDF Meningitis Fact sheet from CDC

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Bacterial Meningitis

What is Bacterial Meningitis?

Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially fatal, bacterial infection of the brain and spinal cord.

What causes Bacterial Meningitis?

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitides .

How is Bacterial Meningitis spread?

The bacterium is spread by direct close contact with the discharges form the nose or throat of an infected person. Fortunately, the bacteria that causes meningitis is not very contagious, and it is not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.

Signs and Symptoms

Meningitis often appears with flu-like symptoms that develop over 1-2days.
Hallmark signs are sudden fever, sever headache, and a stiff neck.
Neurological symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, confusion and disorientation, drowsiness, sensitivity to bright light, and poor appetite.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid obtained by a spinal tap. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of antibiotics, but treatment must start as early as possible.

How is Bacterial Meningitis prevented?

Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of getting the disease form an infected person.
Avoid sharing food, utensils, glasses and other objects with a person who may have or has been exposed to the infection.
Wash hands often with soap and water.
Get vaccinated against Bacterial Meningitis.

Who is at risk of getting Bacterial Meningitis?

College students living in residence halls may be more likely to acquire meningococcal disease because of lifestyle factors, such as:

crowded living situations
bar patronage
active or passive smoking
irregular sleep patterns
sharing of personal items

How many people get Bacterial Meningitis on college campuses each year?

Approximately 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and 5 to 15 students will die as a result.

Who should be vaccinated?

All first-year students living in residence halls
Undergraduate students 25 years of age or younger who wish to reduce their risk for the disease may choose to be vaccinated
Students with medical conditions that compromise immunity (e.g., HIV, absent spleen, antibody deficiency, chemotherapy, immuno-suppressants)

How effective is vaccination?

The meningococcal vaccine provides protection against four of the five types of N. meningitidis bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in the United States – types A, C, Y, and W-135. In persons 15 to 24 years of age, 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by potentially vaccine-preventable strains.

Is the vaccination safe? Are there any adverse side effects?

The vaccine is safe and effective, and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent. The most commonly reported reactions by adolescents and adults in clinical studies were pain at the injection site, headache, and fatigue. These respond to simple measures (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) and resolve spontaneously within a few days.

Is the meningitis vaccine available the Student Health Center ?

The vaccine can be obtained on- campus through a pre-order system during the beginning of the Fall semester.

What is the cost of the vaccine?

The cost of the vaccine is $100.00 and will be added to the student account. The vaccination clinic dates will be emailed to the student via college email. Please call the student health center at 570-208-5852 with questions regarding meningitis vaccination.

Who can students and parents contact for additional information?

Please call the King's College Student Health Center at 570-208-5852 for more information.

Additional information is available at the following websites:

The American College Health Association

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools