Vaccine hunt a shot in the dark
Local supplies of meningitis vaccines are dwindling as students scramble to find the shot that is now required for college entry in Texas.
A new law effective Jan. 1 requires all students under 30 enrolling in Texas colleges and universities to show proof of a meningococcal dose or booster within the last five years - or to opt out by filing an exemption form. A previous version of the law effective a year ago only applied to students living on campus.
The state has ordered more doses for local health departments and community health centers. Revised rules for Adult Safety Net immunization sites allows any college student - regardless of insurance status - to receive a free or low-cost dose through Jan. 31.
The Houston health department's four adult safety net locations are offering the shots for a $15 administration fee. By Friday afternoon, only one of those clinics had doses.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Vaccine-hunt-a-shot-in-the-dark-2433965.php
Cross-posted in Health forum.
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I just watched the YouTube video mentioned in the story. Get vaccinated, or get your kids vaccinated if needed. I just wish these vaccines were free to everyone. 
"Meningococcal, although uncommon, is a horrible disease. It kills one in seven people in that age group that are so unfortunate to catch it. One in five will have long-term effects from the disease - severe scarring, amputation of arms, legs and digits, long-term kidney damage as well as some neurological deficits," said Dr. C. Mary Healy of the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children's Hospital and a Baylor College of Medicine pediatrics professor.
