In accordance with New York State Public Health Law 2165, Alfred State requires that all incoming degree-seeking students born on or after Jan. 1, 1957, must provide proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. The state also requires that all students receive information about meningococcal disease and have made an informed decision about whether or not to receive immunization against meningococcal disease.
Exceptions:
- Students born prior to Jan. 1, 1957, are exempt from providing proof of immunization.
- Medical reasons: For a temporary or permanent medical exemption, the student must submit a signed statement from a health care provider that includes the reason, specific immunizations that apply, and an end date for the exemption.
- Religious reasons: For a religious exemption, the student must submit documentation of a sincerely held religious belief. Statements from parents/guardians will only be accepted if the student is less than 18 years of age.
Note: Students with medical, religious, or military exception will be allowed to register for & attend classes; however, those students who are not documented to Alfred State as immune may be excluded from campus in the event of a measles, mumps, or rubella outbreak, per New York State Department of Health policies.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Students must provide an official record of their measles, mumps, and rubella immunity before registering for classes. Records may be obtained from the student's past or current health care provider, previous school or university, public health department, or government agency. The following information describes the proof of immunity required for measles, mumps, and rubella:
Measles:
- TWO doses of measles vaccine (or two doses of combined MMR vaccine) given on or after the first birthday, and at least 28 days apart; or
- Physician documented history of the disease; or
- Serologic evidence of immunity (positive blood titers); or
Mumps:
- One dose of mumps vaccine (or combined MMR vaccine) on or after the first birthday, given after Jan. 1, 1969, or
- Physician documented history of disease; or
- Serologic evidence of immunity (positive blood titers)
Rubella:
- One dose of rubella vaccine (or combined MMR vaccine) on or after the first birthday, given after Jan. 1, 1969, or
- Serologic evidence of immunity (positive blood titers). (Note: History of illness is not acceptable).
We will accept any one of the following documentation of your MMR vaccinations:
- A copy of your immunizations (including actual dates) on an official government/school letterhead — the simplest place to obtain this may be from your most recently attended high school or college; OR
- A copy of your immunizations (including actual dates) on physician’s letterhead, which includes printed name, address and telephone number; OR
- Have a blood test to confirm immunity. Please note: a copy of the lab report must be provided to Health & Wellness Services.
Please note that the documentation must be in English and must have students name and date of birth.
The MMR vaccination is available at the Allegany County Health Department. There phone number for making an appointment is 585-268-9250.
Meningitis Information
Students must verify that they have received information about meningococcal disease and have made an informed decision about whether or not to receive vaccination against meningococcal disease. Students comply by reading the required information regarding meningitis, and completing the meningococcal information response on the Health History form. The student is considered compliant with the requirement whether they received the vaccination or declined it.
What is meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream or meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord). It is a relatively rare disease and usually occurs as a single isolated event. Clusters of cases or outbreaks are rare in the United States.
How is the germ meningococcus spread?
Meningococcal disease is transmitted through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions and direct contact with an infected person. Direct contact, for these purposes, is defined as oral contact with shared items such as cigarettes or drinking glasses or through intimate contact such as kissing. Although anyone can come in contact with the bacteria that causes get meningococcal disease, data also indicates certain social behaviors, such as exposure to passive and active smoking, bar patronage, and excessive alcohol consumption, may put students at increased risk for the disease. Patients with respiratory infections, comprised immunity, those in close contact to a known case, and travelers to endemic areas of the world are also at increased risk.
What are the symptoms?
The early symptoms usually associated with meningococcal disease include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting and lethargy, and may resemble the flu. Because the disease progresses rapidly, often in as little as 12 hours, students are urged to seek medical care immediately if they experience two or more of these symptoms concurrently. The disease is occasionally fatal.
How soon do the symptoms appear?
The symptoms may appear two to 10 days after exposure, but usually within five days.
What is the treatment for meningococcal disease?
Antibiotics, such as penicillin G or ceftriaxone, can be used to treat people with meningococcal disease.
Should people who have been in contact with a diagnosed case of meningococcal meningitis be treated?
Only people who have been in close contact (household members, intimate contacts, health care personnel performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, day care center playmates, etc.) need to be considered for preventive treatment. Such people are usually advised to obtain a prescription for a special antibiotic (either rifampin, ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone) from their physician. Casual contact as might occur in a regular classroom, office or factory setting is not usually significant enough to cause concern.
Is there a vaccine to prevent meningococcal meningitis?
Presently, there is a vaccine that will protect against some of the strains of meningococcus. It is recommended in outbreak situations, and for those travelling to areas of the world where high rates of the disease are known to occur. For some college students, such as freshman living in residence halls, there is a modestly increased risk of meningococcal disease; students and parents should be educated about meningococcal disease and the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.
How effective is the vaccine?
The meningococcal vaccine has been shown to provide protection against the most common strains of the disease, including serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. The vaccine has shown to be 85 to 100 percent effective in serogroups A and C in older children and adults.
Is the vaccine safe? Are there adverse side effects to the vaccine?
The vaccine is very safe and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent, consisting primarily of redness and pain at the site of the injection lasting up to two days.
What is the duration of protection?
The duration of the meningococcal vaccine's efficacy is approximately three to five years.