GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The state of Michigan is pretty clear on vaccination requirements and laws that apply to children in child care, preschool and up through high school. But when it comes to college, there are no regulations. In fact, every college has its own rules on which shots you need or don't need.
Grand Valley State University recommends students be fully immunized before hitting the dorms. That includes the flu vaccination, hepatitis B, human papilloma virus (HPV), two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella, two doses of the chicken pox (if you haven't had the disease), meningitis, polio, and tetanus shots. These vaccinations are all recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). According to GVSU's website, no proof of vaccination is required.
Western Michigan University's recommendations are much the same.
Immunization supervisor Mary Wisinski at the Kent County Health Department says college freshman are vulnerable to illness because they're often in close contact with others, both in dorms and in class.
"It's very important for college age students to get a flu shot," Wisinski said.
In addition to the flu shot, Wisinski says one of the most important shots you can get this season in the meningitis vaccination. "That protects against four strains of meningitis," Wisinski said. An additional meningitis B vaccine handles a strain seen in outbreaks on several college campuses.
Although children ages 11-12 routinely get a dose of the meningitis vaccine, Wisinksi says at times people forget to get their booster dose at age 16. That's why she's urging all incoming freshman to get that second booster shot.
"What they found was that the protection wanes over time, so it’s not lasting as long. So kids are very vulnerable when they reach that college age, especially freshman living in dormitories," Wisinski said. "The real problem with meningitis is it’s very quick and it’s very deadly. We’re not sure who you know is going to get sick that quick, but you can get so sick you’re near death in 24 to 48 hours."
Wisinski says the people who survive meningitis often lose a limb, suffer hearing loss, or experience brain damage.
A lot of these vaccinations have certain recommendations, so make sure you check with your doctor to make sure you're all caught up.
Doctors offices, health clinics, college health centers and pharmacies are all places you can get immunized.
Wisinski says the flu vaccination will be delivered at the Kent County Health Department in the upcoming weeks.
Click here for Central Michigan University's vaccination requirements.
Click here for Grand Valley State University's vaccination requirements.
Click here for University of Michigan University's vaccination requirements.
Click here for Western Michigan University's vaccination requirements.
Click here for Michigan State University's vaccination requirements.
Click here for Eastern Michigan University's vaccination requirements.
