Meningitis Vaccines Now Required For Maine Students

According to Bangor Daily News, Maine school age children will be required to be vaccinated against meningitis around the age of 11, and then receive a booster dose when they are 16, or before entering high school. If a student hasn't gotten their first dose by age 16, they will get two doses before starting their senior year of high school.The meningococcal vaccine is already required in 20 states. The vaccine has been recommended in Maine, but hasn't been required for students until now.

Meningococcal meningitis is the most common bacteria and it infects the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord which can lead to sepsis, which can lead to pneumonia and organ failure. Meningitis can be life threatening within hours and can spread quickly in classrooms and dorms through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include: high fever, stiff neck, confusion, blurred vision and nausea.