AMHERST — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and University of Massachusetts Health Services have determined that two recent cases of meningococcal disease on campus are an outbreak and are recommending approximately 20,000 undergraduate students receive vaccinations.
The university is holding four mass-vaccination clinics to immunize students against meningitis B, beginning Thursday, Nov. 30, through Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Extensive Department of Public Health and University Health Services testing has determined that the two ill students contracted meningitis B from a “single strain of genetically identical organisms,” prompting the characterization of the situation as an outbreak, according to a UMass statement on Tuesday.
“How do you know you’re in an outbreak? It is based on this: Do we, with all our scientific methods, epidemiology, laboratory science, expect that there is a heightened risk on campus? That means there’s an outbreak,” Executive Director of University Health Services Dr. George Corey said at the UMass Student Union, where he briefed news reporters on the situation.
Corey explained that while the risk for any individual student to contract meningitis B is low, the university has been operating under the assumption that more students could become ill because of the seriousness of meningitis B.
All students already are required to be vaccinated against the meningitis A, C, W and Y serotypes. Serotype B is not covered by that vaccine. Two shots will be required, spaced a month apart, to build up an immunity to Serotype B.
Corey also said the spread of meningitis can be “sporadic,” and that UMass is not yet “in the clear.” According to Corey, related meningitis cases can spring up a month or two months apart.
The university has stated that the first student, who became ill on Oct. 24, and the second student, who became ill on Nov. 12, are both in stable condition. The second student was released from the hospital a few days ago and is doing well, according to UMass spokeswoman Mary Dettloff.
The clinics will be held in the Cape Cod Lounge at the UMass Student Union on Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday. On Thursday, first-year students will be vaccinated; on Friday, sophomore students; on Monday, junior students; and on Tuesday, seniors.
The university recommends that all undergraduate students receive the meningitis B vaccine, which is different than the meningitis vaccine required for incoming freshman students. About 1,500 students already received the vaccine in the wake of the two meningitis cases.
Because the situation is considered an outbreak, the university says students should not have a problem getting insurance to cover vaccine costs, but that students with private insurance providers should still contact their providers to verify coverage. Students should also download and fill out a “Referral Request form” and bring it to the clinic so that they can be vaccinated. Students with the university-sponsored health insurance, Consolidated Health Plan, will receive the vaccine for free with no referral or pre-authorization required.
There is no upfront costs to be vaccinated, and no student will be denied the vaccine, UMass Public Health Nurse Ann Becker said.