West Virginia University, in collaboration with VACCESSHealth, will offer meningitis vaccinations to students from 1-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. The clinic will be held at the east end of the Recreation Center. Students who present a student ID card can get a vaccination on a walk-in basis; no appointment is necessary.

The fee for the vaccine is $90 and can be billed to the students home address, to a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), payable by personal check or cash. A $10 processing fee will be added if the Bill Home option is chosen.

Meningitis is a rare but serious disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. It strikes about 3,000 Americans each year and causes about 300 deaths annually. While meningitis is uncommon, the number of outbreaks has been on the rise in recent years, according to the American College Health Association.

Recent studies indicate students who live in dormitories are more likely than other people to contract bacterial meningitis because the infection is spread through droplets in the air. Jan Palmer, director of University Health Services (UHS), says some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious and can be spread by sharing a glass or cigarette, or kissing. Lifestyle factors often associated with campus livingsuch as smoking and drinkingmay put students at additional risk.

Palmer says WVU has not reported a problem with meningitis. Rather, the mass vaccination clinic is a preventative measure.

It is not a recommendation, but we make it available to those who want it,he said.There has not been a documented case at WVU in the last 26 years, the time that Ive been here. Meningitis is a very very uncommon illness, but potentially fatal illness. We want students to be informed and have the option to get it. Then its up to them to make their own decision.

The vaccine creates protective levels of antibodies against the four most common strains of meningococcus, the bacteria that causes meningitis. Protection from the vaccine lasts for at least three to five years so students need only receive the shot once.

UHS is also making flu shots available to WVU students from 2-8 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 29 at the Recreation Center. The cost is $10 with a student ID.