Florida Statutes require that a postsecondary institution provide information concerning the risks associated with meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B to every student who has been accepted for admission.

Meningitis is a serious disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Because bacterial meningitis is a grave illness and can rapidly progress to death, it requires early diagnosis and treatment. This is often difficult because the symptoms closely resemble those of the flu and the highest incidence of meningitis occurs during late winter and early spring (flu-season). When not fatal, bacteria meningitis can lead to permanent disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage or loss of limbs.

Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause life-long infection that leads to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, or liver failure. There is no cure for hepatitis B, but the infection can be prevented by vaccination. Each year, about 200,000 people are infected with the virus and 5,000 die.

Although there have been no reported cases of meningitis or hepatitis B at Chipola College, we are taking the proactive steps towards informing and protecting our students.

This same law requires students who live in an on-campus residence hall to provide documentation of vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B unless the student declines the vaccination. If the student is a minor, the student’s parent(s) must decline the vaccinations. If a student or the parent of a minor student declines the vaccinations, a separate waiver for each of these vaccines must be signed. The waiver forms are available in the Admissions Office and on the College web site. The signed waiver form will acknowledge the receipt and review of information concerning meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B. This law does not require the College to provide or pay for vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B.

For detailed information about the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of any required or recommended vaccine for meningococcal meningitis, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mening.pdf.

For detailed information about the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of any required or recommended vaccine for hepatitis B, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/bfact.pdf.

Last revision: September 08, 2014