ST. LOUIS—Missouri State Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, urges parents to use National Immunization Month in August to prepare for the upcoming school year by reviewing their children’s vaccination history and updating any required school immunizations, specifically for the meningitis vaccine.

Earlier this year, Sen. Walsh introduced Senate Bill 421—which will be reintroduced to the Missouri General Assembly in December—which requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to publicize rules governing the immunization against the meningococcal disease (meningitis) for children attending public, private, and parochial or parish schools. The bill also requires that students attending public colleges and universities in Missouri who plan to live in on-campus housing receive the meningitis vaccine, unless he or she has a medical or religious exemption.

"It is critical that both parents and incoming college students in Missouri are aware of the risks of meningitis and the importance of getting vaccinated before school starts this fall,” said Sen. Walsh. “Meningitis is a dangerous disease that spreads quickly, making it all the more important to be informed of the symptoms and how to best protect yourself and your family.”

Thousands of people die and many more are hospitalized each year because of diseases like meningitis—diseases that could have been prevented by vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1,000 to 2,600 Americans contract meningitis annually, and one in 10 dies. Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is most common in infants less than one year of age and young adults ages 16 to 21 years old. College freshmen living in dorms are at increased risk.

Meningitis disease affects the lining of the brain and spinal cord when it is infected with certain bacteria. Symptoms often include severe headaches, fever, altered mental states, sensitivity to light and vomiting.

For more information on meningitis vaccines from the CDC, click here or visit www.cdc.gov.

To follow the status of Senator Walsh’s legislative actions, visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov.walsh.

For more information regarding this release, contact Maureen Meehan at (312) 573-5465 or by email at Maureen_Meehan@JTPR.COM.