Meningitis Information

About Meningitis

College students are at increased risk for meningococcal disease, a potentially fatal bacterial infection commonly referred to as meningitis. In fact, freshmen living in residence halls are found to have a six-fold increased risk for the disease. The American College Health Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that college students learn more about meningitis and vaccination. At least 70% of all cases of meningococcal disease in college students are vaccine preventable. 

At least one dose is required on or after the 16th birthday.

  • What is meningococcal meningitis? It is a potentially fatal bacterial disease that causes swelling of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal column. It can also lead to permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, limb amputation , and even death, see www.vaccineinformation.org. and www.immunize.org. 
  • Meningitis on Campus.  Getting students vaccinated.  Lynn Bozof, President of the National Meningitis Association, tells her personal story about the death of her son: https://www.insidehighered.com/audio/meningitis-campus-getting-students-vaccinated.
  • Robert Morris University will now require, beginning with the Fall 2014 semester that all residential students receive the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY)., on or after the 16th birthday.

 

Meningitis Vaccine Locations
  • Giant Eagle Pharmacy
    5990 University Blvd
    Moon Twp, PA 15108 • 412-269-0254
  • Walmart
    925 Brodhead Road
    Moon Twp, Pa 15108 • 412-893-0142
  • Heritage Valley Convenient Care
    100 Hazel Lane
    Sewickley, PA  15143 • 412-749-6816
  • The Allegheny County Health Department
    425 First Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. 15213
    4th Floor (Entrance on Cherry Way) • 412-578-8062
    Monday-Friday 9:00-4:00  
    www.achd.net
Directions to County Health Department

At the main entrance to the college, make a left turn onto University Blvd. Follow road to seventh light. Make a left onto I-376 Business. I-376 Business will turn into I 376 E. Stay in right lane through tunnel. Once through tunnel, use the 2nd from the right lane, stay straight and take Boulevard of the Allies Exit 70 A. Continue on Boulevard of the Allies turn right onto First Ave. Destination is on the right.

 

To learn more about meningitis and the vaccine, visit websites of Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/, and the American College Health Association, www.acha.org. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening.pdf