Meningococcal Disease

A new requirement for schools as of July 1, 2005, mandates that each public, non-public, and charter school distribute materials concerning Meningococcal disease and its vaccines to students and parents/guardians of students each year.

Enclosed you will find the following:

1. Information about Meningococcal disease from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2. A copy of the new state law. (IC 20-30-5-18)
3. Charter School Health Report

Information to students and parents/guardians should include information about the causes, symptoms, and spread of meningococcal disease as well as places were parents and guardians of students may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children. The law does not make a distinction of what grade the information should be distributed. Parents/guardians of all students should have the information, however, the current vaccine, MCV4 (Menactra TM) used to prevent Meningococcal disease, is licensed for use in ages 11 – 55. When sending home any information include the statement, “Please contact your health care provider for specific instructions regarding your child.”

Resources for schools and families to obtain information about meningococcal disease in addition to their local physician/health care provider and local health department include the following websites:

• The Indiana State Department of Health
  http://www.in.gov/isdh/healthinfo/meningococcal%20disease.htm
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/mening/mening_fs.htm
• The Indiana Department of Education Student Services, School Health http://www.doe.in.gov/sservices/sn.htm
• Academy of Family Physicians
• http://www.aafp.org
• Academy of Pediatrics
• http://www.aap.org

Additionally, there is now a section on the Charter School Health Report (formerly the School Corporation Screening Report) for reporting compliance with the required yearly distribution of information on Meningococcal disease and its vaccine.

Thank you for your assistance in informing students and parents/guardians about this important health issue. For questions, please call Phyllis Lewis, RN, MSN at (317) 232-9142.