University of Wisconsin students encouraged to get 2nd dose of Meningitis B vaccine

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is reminding UW-Madison students who received their first dose of meningococcal B vaccine on campus in response to an outbreak this fall to get their second dose of the vaccine while home on winter break.

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria and can lead to meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord, as well as blood infections.  A person can get seriously ill very quickly. The three infected students at the UW-Madison were hospitalized and are now recovering.

Important information about this vaccine:

Meningoccocus bacteria are spread by direct contact with respiratory and oral secretions, like saliva, spit, and mucus, of an infected person or an asymptomatic carrier.  It can be spread through kissing, sharing eating utensils, drinking from the same container, or by coughing.