Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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Letter to the editor: life-saving meningitis vaccine needed in the United States

Letter+to+the+editor%3A+life-saving+meningitis+vaccine+needed+in+the+United+States
Photo submitted by Gail Bailey

I am writing in response to Madeline Sweitzer’s September 18th column “Rampant misinformation distorts reality of vaccines.” Madeline made excellent points regarding facts and myths about immunization and kudos to University Health Services for providing free vaccinations. Medical advances have allowed us far greater accessibility to disease prevention for everything from the flu to pneumonia. I would also stress that college students should strongly consider getting vaccinated against meningitis. My reason is very personal, but as a parent, it is also very valid.

https://badgerherald.com/oped/2014/09/18/rampant-misinformation-distorts-reality-of-vaccines/#.VCC15fldXT-

Back in 2002, my 20-year-old son Eddy was a University of Wisconsin student and unaware a simple shot for meningitis would have likely protected him from a disease that strikes more than 800 – 1,200 people each year, according to the Center for Disease Control. Sadly, Eddy contracted bacterial meningitis and died. The CDC indicates that 30 percent of adolescents between the ages of 13-17 have not been immunized against this deadly disease. It was also reported that 20 percent of all bacterial meningitis cases occur in teens and young adults. While not 100 percent effective, vaccination is our best existing protection against bacterial meningitis.

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Just a few days ago, a beautiful 19-year-old Georgetown University woman lost her life to meningitis B, for which there is currently no United States-approved vaccine. Faced with similar cases on college campuses last year in Ohio and on both coasts, the CDC actually allowed the rare use of a vaccine approved overseas to stop the spread of Type B. However, this time around, health officials are telling the Georgetown University staff and students to use antibiotics alone, which they believe will ward off the disease.

We need approval for new lifesaving vaccines in the United States now to protect people before they become sick or die.

Take it from a mom who knows and misses her son.

Gail Bailey ([email protected]) is a citizen of Jefferson County.

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