College shots: Woodlands doctor answers common college vaccine concerns

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- As high school graduates prepare for the next step, there are a few vaccines they should know about that many universities require before students can attend their first college class.

Dr. Paola C. Batista is a family medicine practitioner with Memorial Hermann Medical Group Sterling Ridge.

Woodlands Online spoke with Dr. Batista about vaccines for college-bound students and how to prevent several possibly life-threatening diseases.

WOL: What vaccines are most students required to receive before they head off to college?

Dr. Batista: Typically, students need to be up to date on tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (whooping cough) and meningitis vaccines prior to starting college. Also, most schools require that students have received childhood vaccines including hepatitis B, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella (chicken pox).

Of note, HPV vaccine is not required but highly recommended for both males and females to prevent certain types of cancer.

WOL: How do these vaccines differ from ones they received when they were younger?

Dr. Batista: Kids should receive an initial dose of meningitis vaccine at age 11-12, then a booster dose at age 16 ideally. TdaP is similar to DTaP given in childhood, but differs in lower dosage of tetanus and diphtheria booster.

WOL: When can a high school senior receive these immunizations?

Dr. Batista: The meningitis vaccine can be given anytime after the student's 16th birthday.

WOL: Do you think college-bound students should receive the annual flu vaccine?

Dr. Batista: Yes, I would recommend influenza vaccine for college-bound students.

WOL: Are there any risks associated with receiving these vaccines?

Dr. Batista: The common risks are similar to childhood vaccines, such as low-grade fever or flu-like symptoms, localized reaction (injection site swelling, redness, pain). There can be rare risks with most vaccines (such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, which is a neurologic disorder).

WOL: Are there any vaccines other than the main four (meningococcal conjugate vaccine, TdaP, HPV and seasonal influenza) that you would recommend a student receives before they head to college?

Dr. Batista: There are no other vaccine recommendations, however there is new research to suggest that students may also benefit from meningococcal B coverage (in addition to meningococcal conjugate vaccine). The vaccine guidelines may change in the next few years in regards to meningitis prevention.

WOL: Can a student refuse to receive these vaccinations?

Dr. Batista: Yes, a student can refuse to receive such vaccines but needs to provide documentation to their prospective school.

WOL: What happens if a student does not receive these vaccinations?

Dr. Batista: If a student does not receive these vaccines, they are at high risk for developing bacterial meningitis, tetanus, whooping cough and influenza, which at times can be fatal (especially bacterial meningitis).