Meningococcal-Law.doc
Meningococcal Law:
Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 50 is amended by adding the following language as a new section to be designated as follows:
49-6-5005
Local education agencies shall ensure that schools provide parents and guardians with information about meningococcal disease and the effectiveness of vaccination against meningococcal disease at the beginning of every school year. This information shall include the causes, symptoms, and means by which meningococcal disease is spread and the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a local education agency or school to provide or purchase vaccine against meningococcal disease.
Below, please find an information sheet provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that may be used to inform parents in your school system.
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Dear Parents,
As the school nurse at ___________________________________, I am writing to inform you about the dangers of meningococcal disease, commonly known as meningitis, a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can strike teenagers and college students. The disease can come on quickly and may cause death or permanent disability within hours of the first symptoms; although rare the disease may be prevented through vaccination.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends routine meningococcal disease immunization the preadolescent doctor’s visit (11 to 12 years old). For those teenagers who have not been previously vaccinated, immunization also is recommended at high school entry and for all incoming college freshman who will live in a dormitory (only one shot required).
Teenagers and college students have an increased rate of meningococcal infection compared to the general population, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all U.S. cases annually. Of those who survive, up to 20 percent suffer long-term disabilities, including brain damage, loss of hearing, organ failure and limb amputations.
Meningococcal disease can be misdiagnosed as something less serious, because early symptoms are similar to those of influenza or other common viral illnesses, including high fever, headaches, nausea and stiff neck. That is why immunization is so important. A conjugate meningococcal vaccine is now available that public health officials anticipate will provide longer protection against four of the five strains of bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. Although teenagers and college students are at increased risk for contracting the disease, up to 83 percent of cases in this population may be prevented through immunization.
As your child’s school nurse, I encourage you to speak to your child’s physician about meningococcal disease and to consider immunization. For more information about meningococcal disease and immunization, please feel free to contact me directly at __________________________ or visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.
Sincerely,
________________________
School Nurse
________________________
School