State law encourages students to get meningitis vaccinations

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ First-time dormitory students in Oklahoma this fall will be warned of the risks of meningitis and encouraged to get a vaccination for the dangerous disease. <br/><br/>State legislation

Monday, May 17th 2004, 10:30 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ First-time dormitory students in Oklahoma this fall will be warned of the risks of meningitis and encouraged to get a vaccination for the dangerous disease.

State legislation approved last year says students who decide not to get the shots, which cost between $60 and $100, must sign a waiver.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the brain. Left untreated, it can cause seizures, coma, lasting disability and even death.

The legislation was pushed for last year by pharmaceutical companies.

``Vaccine companies were the instigator,'' said Dr. Michael Crutcher, state commissioner of health. ``Vaccine companies look for ways to promote their products.'' Yet he agreed the law has benefits.

``I can't tell you that (the new law) is inappropriate,'' he said.

Aventis Pasteur is the sole manufacturer of the meningococcal vaccine. The company's spokesman, Len Lavenda, said their lobbyist at the Legislature worked simultaneously with several parties before the bill was filed.

Lobbyist Claudia Kamas said she consulted with lawmakers, health officials, students and higher education leaders. She was joined in her efforts by lobbyists representing drug companies that produce vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B.

A provision in the new law says students must show documentation they have been vaccinated for those diseases. But Oklahoma students and those from states that require vaccinations for public school children are exempted.

Senate sponsor of the legislation was Angela Monson, D-Oklahoma City, who said she saw the need for the immunization law based on information provided by the Centers for Disease Control.

Aventis Pasteur is paid $58 for each dose it sells, according to Oklahoma City-County Health Department records.

Efforts to get this legislation in Oklahoma was fueled by an incident at the University of Oklahoma. Two years ago, a student visiting the campus was diagnosed with the disease.

The student recovered, and no other OU students came down with meningitis.