Lone Star College-North Harris’ TRiO Programs Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services will host a free meningitis vaccination clinic on Tuesday, May 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Student Services Building, Room 205, located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive in Houston.
The meningitis clinic is free and open for members of the community ranging from 16 to 18 years of age. Minors must have a signed parental consent form before they are eligible to receive the vaccination; parents do not need to be present.
Students may be eligible for a free meningitis vaccination from the Caring for Children Foundations’ Care Van if they have Medicaid, if they do not have health insurance, if they have health insurance that does not cover certain vaccines or if they are an American Indian or Alaskan Native.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness, and is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children two through 18 years old in the United States.”
Meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord, and can lead to brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities and even death.
About 1,000–1,200 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is most common in infants less than one year of age and people 16 to 21 years, which is the average age range of most college students.
As of January 1, 2012, all students entering college are required to show proof of an initial meningococcal vaccination or a booster dose during the five-year period prior to enrolling. They must get the vaccine at least 10 days before the semester begins. Summer I classes at LSC-North Harris begin Jun. 5. Summer II classes begin Jul. 13 and fall classes begin Aug. 28.
Students need to make a reservation to attend. To RSVP, please contact Maria.D.Gonzalez@LoneStar.edu.
For more information about the free meningitis clinic, call 281.765.7852.
Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.
Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 98,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of $3.1 billion. LSC consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
###