Play it safe

By Patricia Michael
For the Times West Virginian

September 08, 2008 01:15 am

— If one would ask a college freshman about the process of applying to college and the most important aspect of it, it would be an atypical response if it included immunizations. But the fact of the matter is vaccines are one of the most important components of college life, especially for those students living in dormitories.
Even though these aren’t the first shots teenagers have ever received , it can still be an extremely nerve-racking process, regardless if one is afraid of needles or not. Often times numerous vaccines are needed for college, including the new meningitis shot. This is now a requirement to be a student at West Virginia University. In recent years, the number of meningitis outbreaks on campus has increased, and the shot has been made a requirement.
“I had to ensure that my immunization record was updated before I came down for school,” said WVU freshman and Pittsburgh native Ali Mols.
“There were certain shots that were absolutely required before I could come.”
These vaccines include an updated MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), polio, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, hepatitis B, and meningococcal.
There are also recommended shots that include varicella (chicken pox), TB screening, Pneumovax, flu shot, hepatitis A or hepatitis A & B, and HPV for females.
Depending upon one’s major, more shots and or blood work may need to be done in order to comply with certain policies. For example, most students in a health-care major will be required to have the Pertussis vaccination.
These extra vaccines are just precautions since students will most likely be having contact with infectious patients.
So what would happen if one doesn’t obtain the required inoculations?
A letter will be mailed to students indicating that their immunization form has not been received by the university. A restriction may be placed on the student’s record prohibiting any registration for courses later in the semester.
In order to avoid any unnecessary roadblocks in the already challenging world of college, it is best to start filling out the paperwork early.
A few of the shots must be given at certain times or a certain number of days apart from one another. Vaccines like the Hepatitis B and HPV are actually a series of three shots given over a period of time. The second must be obtained 30 days after the first and then the third six months after the original.
With the dormitories becoming increasingly packed full of students each year, it is in the best interest of college students to get the recommended immunizations. This way everyone will stay as healthy as possible and have a great school year.

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