ICYMI: Meningococcal Vaccine Now Required For 2016-17 School Year

In case you missed it, here's a story that appeared earlier this week in Commack Patch:

Suffolk County officials recently announced that all children beginning 7th and 12th grade this fall now are required to have the meningococcal vaccine by September 1 in order to be able to attend school.

While the vaccine has been has been recommended for the past 10 years and many parents have already chosen to immunize their children, this year is the first year it vaccine will be required for school entry.

“Immunizations are among the safest and most cost-effective ways to prevent disease,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. “They not only protect vaccinated individuals but also help protect entire communities, which is why we want everyone who is not up to date on their immunizations to obtain them as soon as possible, especially the children who need the meningococcal vaccine.”

Teens and young adults are at greater risk for meningococcal disease, which causes bacterial meningitis and other serious diseases. It comes on quickly and without warning with symptoms that are similar to the flu.

Every case of this disease can result in death or long-term disability.

"Immunization schedules change periodically, so we ask that everyone—adults, pregnant women, and parents of older children– to speak with their healthcare providers to find out what immunizations are recommended for them," Commissioner of Health Services Dr. James Tomarken said.