College-bound students from Harford County are scrambling to get vaccinated for the deadly meningitis bacteria. However, the demand for the vaccination is far outweighing the supply.
“There is only one manufacturer of the vaccine, and this is why the supply cannot keep up with the demand,” said Harford County Health Officer Andrew Bernstein.
Bernstein said it is not unusual forthe county Health Department to order 200 vaccinations, and only receive 20 doses.
“It?s an unfortunate situation, but we?re dealing with it the best we can,” Bernstein said.
Bernstein also said with school gearing up to start, and many colleges and universities requiring that new students be vaccinated, the demand for the vaccine has become even greater.
“There is an imbalance between the supply and demand,” said Donna Cary, spokeswoman for Sanofi Pasteur, a French pharmaceutical company with U.S. offices in Pennsylvania and the lone manufacturer of the two vaccines produced to combat meningitis.
Spread through the exchange of saliva ? with symptoms including stiff neck, headache and fever ? meningitis infects the lining of the brain and the spinal cord, Bernstein said. About 10 percent of those infected die from the disease, some within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Berstein said 1 in 5 who survive are left with a permanent disability.
Studies have shown that young people from 11 to 19 who live in close quarters to each other are the largest portion of the population affected by the bacteria. College students who live in dormitories are especially susceptible, Bernstein said.
Cary said that Sanofi Pasteur produces approximately 6 million meningitis vaccines a year, and this figure is more than enough to meet the need of those requiring the vaccine.
“We just can?t produce it all in August,” she said.
“We have a waiting list of 89 people,” said Kim Kellie, a registered nurse with the Harford County Health Department.
Kellie said 15 of those 89 responded to calls to attend a vaccination clinic next week at the health department.
College-bound Bel Air residents Leslie and Laura Waller were in the low 50s of the waiting list. They were able to secure a reservation for the meningitis vaccination at next week?s clinic, according to their mother, Joyce Waller.
“We were told [by a family doctor] there was not any meningitis vaccination around,” Waller said.
Waller said she was grateful the county was able to help her girls get the vaccine.
Bernstein said there has not been a reported case of meningitis in Harford County for at least four years.
Meningitis vaccine
» The Harford County Health Department will hold a general vaccination clinic, to include a limited number of meningitis vaccines, on Aug. 15, 3 p.m. Cost ranges from $82 to $86.
» Harford families who meet the criteria may be eligible to receive the meningitis vaccine for free.
» To find out more, or to get on the waiting list, call 410-638-8453
