Meningitis Survivor Speaks Out, Encourages Vaccination

The survivor of a rare and deadly disease spoke out Wednesday about how her suffering could have been prevented with a simple vaccination.

Lindsey Gray said when she got meningococcal meningitis, it moved fast.

She had not been vaccinated for it. When she caught it, she was put in a coma for six weeks and had to have her legs and fingers amputated.

"The alternative is much worse. I could be dead. But, you know, I think that speaks volumes about the disease when you're considered lucky to have all the stuff that I live with," Gray said.

Now, Gray educates other families on how they can avoid the disease by getting a vaccination.

In Oklahoma, the meningitis vaccination is required for all students entering college.

To find out more about meningococcal vaccination go to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention web site. 

No-charge immunization clinics for qualified Vaccines for Children candidates will be available at three different Tulsa locations Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Caring Vans will be set up at the Tulsa Health Department at 315 South Utica and at the Reasor's at 1885 South Yale.

You can also go to the OSU Physician's Eastgate Metroplex, at 14002 East 21st Street, Suite 1130, for a free vaccination Thursday.