Mercer University requires certain immunizations for all enrolling students. Some programs may have additional immunization requirements. Students in the College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, College of Health Professions, and School of Medicine should ask their admissions departments for specific immunization requirements, which may differ from those required by the University.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed an increase in the number of invasive cases of meningococcal disease infections.
Meningococcal disease infections refer to any type of illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal disease is a serious disease that can cause infection of the lining of the brain (meningitis) and can lead to death within hours; one in ten cases is fatal; and one in seven survivors of the disease is left with a severe disability, such as the loss of a limb, developmental disability, paralysis, deafness, or seizures. Meningococcal disease is contagious and is spread by sharing anything that comes into contact with an infected person’s saliva (spit) – including but not limited to sharing drinks, food, kissing, vapes, or being in close quarters with someone.
Symptoms often start off as flu-like illness with fever, headache, nausea and quickly progress to stiff neck, light sensitivity, and confusion and can lead to significant disability and/or death.
Scientific evidence suggests that college students living in dormitory facilities are at a moderately increased risk of contracting meningococcal disease since they share living quarters, food, and drink, etc.
Immunization against the meningococcal bacteria will significantly decrease the risk of this serious disease. Getting the meningococcal vaccine is much safer than getting the disease. Some people who get the vaccine may have mild side effects such as redness or pain where the shot was given or a fever. The vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing a serious allergic reaction, but this is rare. Thus, the best way to prevent meningococcal meningitis is to make sure you get vaccinated against all 5 types of the meningococcal meningitis bacteria – A, B, C, W, and Y.
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