 |
Wednesday,
March 31, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Meningitis
vaccine should be required
Side
effects small compared to possible death
If
the old adage is true and history repeats itself, then
there is no reason that the meningitis vaccine shouldn’t
be mandatory at TCU. While the side-effects of the vaccine
are negligible, the consequences of contracting the disease
are potentially deadly.
In 2001, two students at Tulane University died from complications
related to meningitis they contracted at school. According
to the American College Health Association, an estimated
100 to 125 cases of meningitis occur each year on college
campuses with about five to 15 of those students dying
as a result. When considering these statistics, the best
interest of the student body should be the basis of the
administration’s decision whether to require the
vaccine, not the additional cost nor a small rash that
might result from the vaccine.
The ACHA indicates that living on campus can increase
the risk of contracting meningitis by six — and with
the current requirement in place that all freshman remain
on campus for one year, it seems only logical that we
would put in place measures to prevent such an easily
spread disease. By not requiring such a simple prevention
technique, it’s almost like we’re inviting an
epidemic into the supposedly safe dorms where we house
freshmen.
The vaccine is 85 to 100 percent effective in preventing
the disease in older children and adults, according to
the ACHA. Studies suggest that up to 80 percent of college
cases are vaccine preventable. Meningitis is easily spread
due to situations which are known to occur more frequently
once in college — sharing cigarettes or drinks.
While many students indulge in this seemingly innocent
behavior, the failure to require a vaccine could render
these activities deadly.
The university should play it safe and require students
to get the vaccine. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
