Vaccinate all students against meningitis

The University of South Florida set the right example by tightening protections for students against bacterial meningitis. Come January, USF students moving into campus residence halls or Greek housing must be vaccinated against the disease, which is severe and a particular threat to college students. USF's prompt response to the September death of sophomore Rachel Futterman could prevent another tragedy. The state should build on USF's lead by requiring vaccinations of all students, not just those in campus housing.

Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and brain. It is rare but fast-moving and can be difficult to detect early on. (Futterman thought she had the flu and died only days after falling ill.) State law now allows students living on campus to attest they have been vaccinated or sign a waiver opting out. But after Futterman died, USF acknowledged it allowed students who had not returned the paperwork to move into campus housing.

Beyond requiring vaccination to live on campus, students off campus will have to be vaccinated or sign an opt-out form to attend class. USF said it will police the rules more aggressively. While it will consider waivers for medical or religious reasons, those decisions, a spokesman said, will be made case-by-case and "very, very few people will be exempted."

This policy change heads in the right direction. But the state should go further and require all students to be vaccinated - not just those living on campus. Meningitis is spread by direct contact, and the reality of college life is that students interact often, whether living together in dorms or not. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that young adults are increasingly vulnerable. While 85 percent or more of those infected survive, nearly one in five survivors is left with permanent hearing loss, mental retardation, the loss of a limb or other serious harm. Requiring that all students be vaccinated is a small price well worth any inconvenience.

[Last modified November 29, 2007, 22:00:31]