Hepatitis B and Meningitis

Hepatitis B

The State of Tennessee mandates that The University of Memphis provide information concerning Hepatitis B infection to all students entering The University of Memphis for the first time.  Hepatitis B (HBV) is a serious viral infection of the liver that can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure, and even death. The disease is transmitted by blood and or body fluids and many people will have no symptoms when they develop the disease. The primary risk factors for Hepatitis B are sexual activity and injecting drug use. This disease is completely preventable. Hepatitis B vaccine is available to all age groups to prevent Hepatitis B viral infection. A series of three (3) doses of vaccine are required for optimal protection. Missed doses may still be sought to complete the series if only one or two have been acquired. The HBV vaccine has a record of safety and is believed to confer lifelong immunity in most cases.

The law does not require you to receive the Hepatitis B immunization.  

Meningitis Immunization Requirement for New Students Living In Any University of Memphis Residence

The State of Tennessee requires all new students under the age of 22 who will be living in a University of Memphis residence to be immunized against meningococcal disease (Meningitis MCV4 immunization) on or after their 16th birthday and provide proof of receiving this immunization before moving into their residence. Meningococcal immunizations may be submitted on the Certificate of Immunization Form or an Official immunization record. If this documentation is not provided before move-in day, students may not be able to move into their residence.

Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection, expressed as either meningitis (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) or meningococcemia (bacteria in the blood). Meningococcal disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for about 300 deaths annually. The disease is spread by airborne transmission, primarily by coughing. The disease can onset very quickly and without warning. Rapid intervention and treatment is required to avoid serious illness and/or death. There are five (5) different subtypes (called serogroups) of the bacterium that causes Meningococcal Meningitis. The current vaccine (Meningitis MCV4 immunization) does not stimulate protective antibodies to Serogroups B, but it does protect against the most common strains of the disease, including Serogroups A, C, W, and W-135. The duration of protection is approximately three to five years. 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.

While vaccination for Serogroup B is not required the immunization is strongly recommended.

Students living off-campus are not required to have the Meningitis MCV4 immunization. 

While the immunization is not required for students living off-campus, the immunization is strongly recommended.