• Congratulations on your acceptance to Saint Vincent College.
• Academic success and personal growth play an important role in your future.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you achieve your goals.
• The Wellness Center provides an outpatient system for use during illness, and monthly wellness education programs.
• You are requested to submit the Medical History form (2 pages) which includes your immunization record and physician's physical exam.
• Immunizations needed:  two Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccines, the Meningitis Vaccine if living on campus, tetanus diphtheria booster (every 10 years) and the Hepatitis B series of three.
• Immunizations may be waived for religious or other reasons by checking the box and signing your name on the immunization record.
• List allergies to medications, food or environment on the Medical History.
• Include health insurance information.
• If you have any questions please call 724-805-2115.

• PA Law on Meningitis Vaccinations

PA Law on Meningitis Vaccinations
In accordance with Pennsylvania law, the Meningitis Vaccine is mandatory for students residing on campus.  All residential students must be vaccinated or sign a waiver for religious or other reasons.  You may obtain the immunization from your primary care physician, your local health department or contact Passport Health (1-800-839-4007) 244 Center Road, Suite 102, Monroeville, PA 15146.    
 
In accordance with the law, Saint Vincent College Wellness Center provides you with the following information on the potential dangers of bacterial meningitis, as well as the benefits of vaccination.

• WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
  Meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection.  It can occur in two forms--as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation that affects the brain and spinal cord, or as meningococcemia, the presence of bacteria in the blood.  Permanent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, limb amputation, kidney failure, or death can result from the infection.
  
  Meningitis strikes about 3,000 Americans each year and claims as many as 300 lives.  Between 100-125 cases occur on college campuses every year.  5-15 college students die each year as a result.
  
  
• HOW IS IT SPREAD?
  Meningococcal meningitis is spread through the air via respiratory secretions or close contact with an infected person.  This can include coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing items such as utensils, cigarettes and drinking glasses. 
  

   

• WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
  Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis often resemble the flu, and can include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and confusion.
  
  
• WHO IS AT RISK?
  College students, particularly freshmen, who live in campus residence halls, anyone in close contact with a known case, anyone with an upper respiratory infection with a compromised immune system, and anyone traveling to endemic areas of the world where meningitis is prevalent.
  
  
• CAN MENINGITIS BE PREVENTED?
  Yes.  A safe, effective vaccine is available.  The vaccine is 85-100% effective in preventing four kinds of bacteria (serogroups A, C, Y, W-135) that cause about 70% of the disease in the U.S.  The vaccination is safe, with mild and infrequent side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to 2 days.  After vaccination, immunity develops within 7-10 days and remains effective for approximately 3-5 years.  As with any vaccine, vaccination against meningitis may not protect 100% of all susceptible individuals.
  

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call the Saint. Vincent College Wellness Center (724) 805-2115.  You can also visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo, and the American College Health Association, www.acha.org

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