Family Health Clinic out of meningitis vaccines

If you need to get vaccinated for meningitis, you’re out of luck for the time being.

Medical Center Hospital spokeswoman Amber Sweeney said the Family Health Clinic, 840 W. Clements St., ran out of vaccinations Wednesday.

“They’ve already given their allotted amount,” Sweeney said.

Vaccinations were originally meant to be available through Thursday for Odessa College students prior to registration.

Family Health Clinic Patient Registrar Evee, who declined to give her last name, said she could not disclose how many meningitis vaccines have been administered at the clinic but did confirm that another shipment will arrive in two weeks.

The Midland Health Department also reported that they were out of meningitis vaccines Wednesday afternoon.

Ector County Health Department Immunization Program Manager Penny Farris said she could not disclose whether the health department had meningitis vaccines available for college students due to a state law relating to adult vaccines.

Farris said students who have not received their vaccines yet should first contact their primary physician or pharmacist.

Starting in January, first-time Texas college students who have not attended a Texas college or university during the fall 2011 semester and are younger than 30 will be required to have the bacterial meningitis vaccination at least 10 days before the first day of the upcoming spring semester. Classes at OC begin Jan. 17.

If the student has had a meningitis vaccine at 16 years or older, they are not required to receive another booster dose upon registration, Farris said. A booster dose is only recommended for students who received a meningitis vaccine prior to age 16, Farris said.

Meningitis vaccines cannot be given to anyone younger than 11, and Texas schools require students beginning in seventh grade to receive the vaccine, Farris said.

Meningitis is a bacterial infection that covers the brain and spinal cord. Around 10 percent to 15 percent of those that get meningitis die from the disease.

When asked, Farris said that it’s important for college students to be vaccinated.

“People are more likely to acquire meningitis when they’re in crowded communities and enclosed areas, because it is airborne,” Farris said.

@OAcitylife