Princeton To Begin Administering Meningitis Vaccine Monday
PRINCETON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Princeton University is about to administer the first doses of a vaccine against meningitis.
The Ivy League school has experienced an outbreak of type B meningococcal disease, which is sometimes life-threatening. Since March, seven Princeton students and one student visitor have been stricken by the bacterial illness.
University officials said the vaccine will be made available starting Monday and through Thursday, for nearly 6,000 people.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has officially recommended all undergraduate students, graduate students living in dorms, the Graduate College and annexes, and employees with certain medical conditions receive the new vaccine.
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration, along with school officials, approved importing a vaccine not yet approved in the U.S. for limited use at the New Jersey campus. The vaccine, Bexsero, is approved for use in Europe and Australia.
Under state law, anyone living in dorm rooms must have vaccinations against other strains of meningitis. The vaccinations, however, do not cover type B.
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