On May 18, 2000, Governor Parris N. Glendening signed into
law a requirement that individuals in Maryland institutions
of higher education residing in on-campus housing be vaccinated
against meningococcal disease, or sign a waiver. The law went
into effect 2000.
Code of Maryland Regulations became effective
on November 12, 2001. See link below. To aid in complying
with the law, a sample information sheet on the risks associated
with meningococcal disease and the availability and effectiveness
of the vaccine is provided on this site, as well as a sample
waiver form.
Each institution of higher education must use
a waiver form approved by its counsel. The Maryland Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene accepts no responsibility for
deficiencies in this form.
Institutions of higher education are not required
by this law to provide or pay for vaccinations for meningococcal
disease.
Visit the following websites on meningococcal
disease and vaccine for fact sheets, CDC recommendations,
American College Health Association background information,
frequently asked questions, and recent medical journal articles.
For more information on the law, visit The Maryland
General Assembly
Click here
to view the Meningococcal Regulations
Other
College and University Immunization Requirements
Click here to download and view a sample Meningococcal
disease information sheet and sample waiver form in Adobe
Acrobat 4.0 format.
Sample Meningococcal disease information
sheet:
Meningoccocal Vaccine
For Higher Education Students
What you need to Know
Effective 2001, Maryland law requires that an
individual enrolled in an institution of higher education
in Maryland who resides in on-campus student housing must
be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. An individual
may be exempt from this requirement if (1) the institution
of higher education provides the individual or the individual's
parent or guardian if the individual is a minor (under 18
years of age) detailed information on the risks associated
with meningococcal disease and the availability and effectiveness
of any vaccine, and (2) the individual or a minor individual's
parent or guardian signs a waiver stating that the individual
or the parent
or
guardian has received and reviewed the information provided
and has chosen that the individual will not be vaccinated
against meningococcal disease.
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a rare but life threatening
illness, caused by the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis.
It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis (an infection
of the brain and spinal cord coverings) in the United States.
The most severe form of the disease is meningococcemia, infection
of the bloodstream by this bacterium.
Deaths from meningococcal disease have occurred
among Maryland college students in recent years. Students
living in dormitories or residence halls are at increased
risk. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
encourages meningococcal vaccination of higher education students.
About 2,600 people get meningococcal disease
each year in the U.S. 10-15% of these people die, in spite
of treatment with antibiotics. Of those who live, 10% lose
their arms or legs, become deaf, have problems with their
nervous systems, become mentally retarded, or suffer seizures
or strokes.
About the vaccine:
Meningococcal
vaccine can be effective in preventing four types of meningococcal
disease. The vaccine is not effective in preventing all types
of the disease, but it does help to protect many people who
might become sick if they don't get the vaccine. Drugs such
as penicillin can be used to treat meningococcal infection.
Still, about one out of every ten people who get the disease
dies from it, and many others are affected for life.
A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of
causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reaction.
People should not get meningococcal vaccine if they have ever
had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose
of meningococcal vaccine. Some people who get meningococcal
vaccine have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where
the shot was given (which is usually under the skin of the
upper arm). A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine
develop a fever. The vaccine may be given to pregnant women.
Meningococcal vaccine is available in some school
health centers, travel clinics, some county health departments,
and the offices of some health providers.
Meningococcal Disease on Campus…Know
Your Risk
This is a sample form to begin the process
of enforcing the meningococcal vaccine requirement. Each institution
of higher education must use a waiver form approved by its
counsel. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
accepts no responsibility for deficiencies in this form.
MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE REQUIREMENT
I have received the meningococcal vaccine as
required by Maryland law for individuals residing in on-campus
student housing at an institution of higher education. Documentation
from a physician or health clinic of receipt of vaccine is
attached.
__________________________________
Name of Individual
___________________________________________________
Signature of Individual 18 years or older
Date
___________________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian of Individual under
18 years of age Date
WAIVER
Individuals 18 years of age and older may
sign a written waiver choosing not to be vaccinated against
meningococcal disease. For individuals under 18 years of age,
the parent or guardian of the individual must review the information
on the risks of meningococcal disease and sign a written waiver
that he/she has chosen not to have the individual vaccinated
against meningococcal disease.
For individuals 18 years of age or older:
I am 18 years of age old or older. I have received
and reviewed the information provided on the risk of meningococcal
disease and the effectiveness and availability of meningococcal
vaccine. I understand that meningococcal disease is a rare
but life threatening illness. I understand that Maryland law
requires that an individual enrolled in an institution of
higher education in Maryland who resides in on-campus student
housing shall receive vaccination against meningococcal disease
unless the individual signs a waiver to the vaccination.
I choose to waive receipt of meningococcal vaccine.
_____________________________________
Signature of Individual
Date
For individuals under the age of 18:
I have received and reviewed the information
provided on the risks of meningococcal disease and the effectiveness
and availability of meningococcal vaccine. I understand that
meningococcal disease is a rare but life threatening illness.
I understand that Maryland law requires that an individual
enrolled in an institution of higher education in Maryland
who resides in on-campus student housing shall receive vaccination
against meningococcal disease unless a waiver to the vaccination
is signed.
I choose to waive receipt of meningococcal vaccine
for my child, ____________________ .
(Name of child)
______________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date
