As part of the National Vaccination Schedule, it is recommended that students planning to attend college abroad receive two different meningococcal vaccines to protect against a variety of meningococcal strains. However, some students may not have received these vaccinations because they were not required at their colleges.
Due to a recent outbreak of meningitis in Kent, United Kingdom, Public Health is encouraging returning students to take advantage of this free clinic and get vaccinated. Vaccination continues to be the best form of prevention against meningitis.
Students attending the clinic are asked to bring their immunization records, if available.
This clinic is specifically for students who did not receive their meningitis vaccine before leaving for college and have returned for spring break. Students starting university for the first time this summer will be accommodated at a different clinic in June 2026.
Residents who have returned from the UK and are feeling unwell are urged to seek medical care immediately if they experience any of the following rapidly worsening symptoms:
- Fever (greater than 38.0 °C or 101 °F)
- Severe headache
- Vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Rapid breathing
- Sensitivity to light
- Rash (initially appearing as small, red pinpricks that may spread and change to red or purple blotches)
- Confusion
- Unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking from sleep
- Joint and muscle pain
For more information, please contact the Public Health Department at 244-2889 or 244-2621.