Meningitis B Vaccine Available to Students, Faculty and Staff at UMass Amherst

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Nov. 30, 2017

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that the strains of the meningococcal bacteria that caused both student's infections are closely related, meaning there may be an increased risk of the disease for other undergraduates on campus. UMass Amherst students who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to get vaccinated. In addition, anyone who has had close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with a meningococcal illness, as well as faculty and staff who have conditions such as asplenia, a complement deficiency, or sickle cell anemia, should also receive the vaccine.

Meningitis B vaccines are fairly new and most college students have not received the vaccine previously. All college students are required to receive a vaccine that protect against four other strains of the meningococcal disease (A, C, W, and Y), but that vaccine does not protect against B, which is the cause of the current infections at UMass Amherst.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from meningococcal infection and CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic will be offering the Meningitis B vaccine at the following locations¹:

• 165 University Drive, Amherst, MA 01002 (MinuteClinic also available)
• 76 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002
• 367 Russell Street, Hadley, MA 01035 (Located inside Target)
• 366 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060 (MinuteClinic also available)
• 90 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
• 70 West State Street, Granby, MA 01033
• Crystal Springs Plaza, 151 North Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007
• Route 10, 118 Northampton Street, Easthampton, MA 01027
• 1616 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020
• 400 Beech Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
• 1176 Granby Road, Chicopee, MA 01020
• 451 Center Street, Ludlow, MA 01056
• 250 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
• 50 Holyoke Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (Located inside Target)
• 1990 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095

All CVS Pharmacy locations can order doses of the vaccine upon request and have it available the next day. Pharmacy and medical clinic staff can assist patients in determining whether the vaccine is covered by their insurance plan.

"Immunizations are an important part of preventive care and a critical way to prevent serious diseases, like Meningitis B," said Tobias Barker, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of MinuteClinic. "Our CVS pharmacists and MinuteClinic nurse practitioners are ready to provide meningitis vaccinations to the UMass Amherst community, and can help ensure that patients stay up to date on vaccinations in the future."