§The death of a University of South Florida student from a deadly disease two weeks ago has lawmakers questioning whether to make vaccinations a requirement at Florida universities.
Rachel Futterman, a 19-year-old sophomore at USF, died Sept. 24 of bacterial meningitis after showing the first symptoms of illness four days earlier.
Rhett Davis, a 20-year-old UCF student, also died of the infection in November 2006 after being ill for only one day.
Florida's Board of Governors, which oversees Florida's 11 public universities, met on Sept. 27 to discuss the current law governing meningitis vaccinations.
According to Bill Edmonds, director of communications for the board, the board asked the student health directors at public universities to work with the Centers for Disease Control and other public health agencies to come up with a strategy to minimize the risk to students.
The board is scheduled to meet on Dec. 5 and 6 at UCF to discuss the issue and vote on a possible solution.
"The tragic death of University of South Florida sophomore Rachel Futterman was a wake-up call to all of us involved in higher education," Edmonds said. "[The board] will hear the recommendation from the student health directors and consider strengthening requirements for vaccinations so that all students at UCF and the 10 other institutions of the state university system are less vulnerable to this devastating disease."
Bacterial meningitis is a contagious disease that causes an infection and inflammation of the membranes covering the spinal cord and brain, which can lead to death.
According to UCF Student Health Services, however, students need not be concerned.
Dr. Michael Deichen, associate clinical director for Health Services, said that studies have shown the prevalence of the disease on college campuses to be about 1 in 100,000.
"If you were to vaccinate all college students, you'd have to vaccinate 100,000 students to prevent one case," Deichen said. "It's a horrendous disease, however, and students do need to be apprised of the risk in order to make the decision to get vaccinated."
The cost of the vaccine at the UCF Health Center is $103. In the past week, the Health Center has given 11 vaccinations and a total of 71 for the semester.
Deichen said that the vaccine does not guarantee protection from all strains of meningitis.
"It reduces your risk, no doubt, but there's no absolute protection from the disease," Deichen said.
The current Florida statute states that all students enrolled in a postsecondary institution who reside in student housing must show documentation of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.
Students age 18 or older must sign a waiver if they choose not to get vaccinated. These forms are kept on file by the office of Housing and Residence Life.
"For each of the 6,000 students that live on campus, we have a folder created that has their hepatitis and meningitis form or waiver along with their contract," said Meredith Varner, assistant director of Housing and Residence Life. "We have to have a form on file for anyone living on campus before they can register."
Varner said that the information is not public but that students should communicate with their roommates if they have concerns about the disease and ask whether their roommates are vaccinated.
"They should talk with each other and communicate about it in case someone might be at risk or have any risk factors," Varner said. "I think just being proactive and communicating is the best thing they can do."
Students should also be wary of sharing drinks or straws and should keep their hands clean, Deichen said.
Simple habits like washing before and after meals or after using the restroom can reduce the risk of infectious disease.
Deichen also said that what should concern students are health issues that are more common and pose a greater risk, such as influenza, STDs and depression.
"Influenza afflicts us every year, and pandemics can occur every 30 years," Deichen said. "Hand hygiene plays an important role in preventing the spread of meningitis, influenza and most respiratory illnesses. Students should keep their hands clean and always wash them after they use the restroom and before they eat."
For more information on bacterial meningitis or other health concerns, contact Student Health Services at 407-823-2701.
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