Oregon State University will hold five consecutive days of meningococcal B disease mass vaccination clinics starting Tuesday on its Corvallis campus.
The clinics will help students meet the new university requirement that all OSU Corvallis students 25 and under must be vaccinated against meningococcal B by Feb. 15. This new requirement results from a sixth OSU undergraduate student since November 2016 being diagnosed with this disease.
“The health and safety of our students is our number one priority,” said Steve Clark, OSU’s vice president of university relations and marketing. “We are doing everything we can to halt this outbreak.”
The clinics, which are being held in partnership with Fred Meyer Pharmacy, will be held daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Jan. 13. Check-in will occur in the Student Experience Center Plaza outside the Memorial Union.
The vaccination requires multiple doses, which must be completed by Feb. 15. Doses must be given a month apart.
“This means students must begin the vaccination process now if they have not already done so,” Clark said. “Without receiving the requisite doses, students will not be able to register for spring term classes or receive final grades for winter term.”
For details regarding this vaccination requirement, visit the Student Health Services website: GetTheVax.oregonstate.edu. Information on exemptions for vaccination requirements will available on the website beginning Jan. 8.
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon and serious disease. In 10 to 15 percent of cases, death may result, as was the case with a University of Oregon student in 2015. In 20 percent of cases, hearing loss, mental impairment and limb loss can result.
Prior to attending the mass vaccination clinics, students are responsible for contacting their health insurance carrier to determine if their plan covers vaccines given by Fred Meyer pharmacists.
Recently enacted legislation requires Oregon’s private insurers to cover the cost of vaccines deemed necessary during an outbreak. A summary of this policy can be found under the Updates section of the Oregon Health Authority’s Meningococcal Information for College Communities web page.
Students without insurance are encouraged to attend the mass vaccination clinics. Staff members will be available to provide options, including the Oregon Health Plan.
In addition to the mass vaccination clinics, students may contact their primary care physician, a local pharmacy or urgent care medical center for a vaccination appointment.
During this outbreak, health officials encourage everyone to monitor their own health and note the following symptoms specific to this disease: high fever, a rash, headache, stiff neck, exhaustion, nausea or vomiting. If these symptoms develop, seek prompt medical evaluation and mention attendance at OSU and that there is a disease outbreak on campus.