The University of Arizona is joining other schools in the Pac-12 to get students and the community vaccinated against a newer strain of meningitis.
Students at UA started "Cats-Vax" to spread the word to college students and the community about Meningitis B. It's a different strain than most people are vaccinated for, and it's extremely contagious.
The FDA approved a vaccine for the B strain in 2014, and it is becoming more widely available now. But, it is still not required for students to have this vaccine.
There have been outbreaks of this strain, some deadly, at several college campuses. The CDCreports that one in ten cases of meningitis are deadly within 24 hours.
This strain of meningitis is most often seen in college students, but children around 11 or 12 years old are also at risk.
You can get these vaccines at most primary care doctors, but if you or your child attends UA, the Student Health Advocacy Committee will be out on the mall this month giving vaccinations to all students. Dates and times, click HERE.
