TO: Incoming YSU Students
FROM: Student Health Services
RE: Immunizations
Dear Student,
Welcome to Youngstown State University! The staff at Student Health Services is committed to providing you with quality up-to-date medical care and addressing your health care needs. Our goal is to assist you in developing the healthiest lifestyle possible, and a large part of this is dependent on preventive care. Immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases are key to this approach.
Due to a recent change in Ohio law (Substitute House bill number 142), all students residing in residence halls are required to inform the university of their meningococcal and Hepatitis B vaccination status.
Although there are no immunization requirements for enrollment at YSU, we strongly recommend you review your medical records and consider updating any missing immunizations. The following is a summary of the guidelines set forth by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices:
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): If you were born in or after 1957 two total doses are needed. Most receive the first dose at approximately one year of age and the second during childhood or adolescence. If you were born before 1957 you are considered immune.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
A RECENT OUTBREAK OF MUMPS IN THE UNITED STATES HAS PROMPTED YSU STUDENT HEALTH OFFICIALS TO RESTRESS THE NEED TO ENSURE IMMUNITY. THOUGH PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION IS NOT MANDATORY, A STRONG RECOMMENDATION IS MADE FOR ALL STUDENTS TO HAVE HAD TWO DOSES OF MMR OR PROOF OF IMMUNITY BY LAB TITER.
Tetanus/diphtheria (dT): Initially given as a series along with pertussis component during infancy and childhood. A booster dose is needed every ten years.
Adacel (Tdap-Tetanus, Diptheria, and Acellular Pertussis): It should replace a single dose of Td and be given to individuals between the ages of 11 to 65.
Hepatitis B: This vaccine is now required as part of routine child health care and should be considered for all individuals not already immune. It is given as a series of three injections over a six-month period.
Varicella (chicken pox): Although this common childhood illness frequently resolves without difficulty, it can lead to serious and life-threatening complications, especially in the adult. Two injections are needed, at least one month apart.
Meningococcemia (meningitis): This illness is a severe disease caused by the Neisseria meningitides bacteria. It can cause an overwhelming blood, brain, and/or spinal cord infection. Symptoms can be vague and non-specific, frequently resembling the flu, and can quickly lead to death or cause permanent disabilities. Students living in dormitories are at higher risk of contracting this disease because they live in close quarters. Exposure to active and passive smoking, alcohol consumption, and bar patronage also increases the risk. The Meningococcal vaccine has been shown to be effective in decreasing the risk of contracting the disease if caused by N. meningitides.The American College Health Association recommends that students, especially those in residence halls, consider this vaccine.
HPV: Recommended for all female college students 11-26 years old. A series of 3 injections over a 6 month period.
If you have any questions, please call us at (330) 941-3489. Our nurses are available during semester weeks from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday. During break weeks, nurses are available 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our doctors will be happy to see you by appointment at no cost.
