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Meningococcal vaccine use in college students
Julia A Kelleher1, Marsha A Raebel
1Kaiser Permanente of Colorado, Denver, CO 80011, USA. Julia.A.Keller@kp.org
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|October 26, 2002
Summary
Meningococcal vaccines offer some protection against meningococcal disease, but limitations exist. College students should be informed about risks and offered vaccination due to increased risk in dormitory settings.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Meningococcal disease poses significant morbidity and mortality risks.
- National and regional organizations have developed recommendations for meningococcal vaccine use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the role of meningococcal vaccine in preventing meningococcal disease.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of current meningococcal vaccines.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive MEDLINE search (1966-June 2001) was conducted.
- Search terms included meningococcal vaccines, meningitis, and infection.
- The search was limited to English-language human studies and supplemented by bibliography review.
Main Results:
- Meningococcal vaccine provides benefits but has limitations, not covering all strains or age groups.
- Determining appropriate target groups for vaccination has been challenging.
- Vaccine use among college students remains a controversial topic.
Conclusions:
- Despite available vaccines, meningococcal disease continues to cause significant illness and death.
- Controversy surrounds the use and efficacy of the meningococcal vaccine.
- College students in dormitories face increased risk and should be informed and offered vaccination.