Can Your Campus Be Doing More To Prevent Meningitis B? Let Them Know!
Outreach Email
Do you feel that your campus can be doing more to protect students from Meningitis B? Below is a draft email you can use to reach out to your college administrators. And of course, feel free to make it your own!
Before you contact them, it’s important to look into your school’s Meningitis B immunization requirements. Visit our MenB Tracker (and check your own school’s website as requirements are changing every day) to see if your school currently requires or recommends the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine or if there has ever been a past case of Meningitis B on your campus. You can use this information to customize your email.
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Subject: Meningitis B: 5 Small Asks to Protect Students at [insert college name]
Dear [insert administrators name],
Thanks to the Meningitis B Action Project, I recently learned about Meningitis B (MenB) and heard the story of two teenagers who lost their life to Meningitis B before a vaccine was available to help protect them. As a [insert year, e.g., Freshman, Sophomore] Peer Health Educator, at [insert college or university name], I feel that more can be done to help prevent this devastating disease that has significant implications on the collective health, safety, and viability of our community.
Meningitis B has been responsible for 100% of meningococcal disease outbreaks on college campuses since 2011 and college students are 5+ times more likely to become infected with Meningitis B as compared to their non-college counterparts. There are two different meningitis vaccines - MenACWY and MenB. While many colleges require the MenACWY vaccine, few require the MenB vaccine, unfortunately. Students are not fully vaccinated against the most common types of bacterial meningitis if they haven’t received both types.
But there are actions we can implement today to prevent a Meningitis B infection on campus. I’ve listed them below for your consideration:
If you haven't already, update our immunization form(s) so that it is clear that there are two different meningitis vaccines – MenB and MenACWY (example)
Include information on Meningitis B and the MenB vaccine on our website (you can pull all the information you need here)
Hold a MenB vaccination clinic on campus
Use these free materials to educate students
If you haven't already, consider requiring (or at least recommending) both the MenACWY and MenB vaccines
As a concerned student, I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you on this. Can we set up a time to discuss this further?
[Insert Name]
[Insert Contact Information]
Additional Items To Strengthen Your Note
Add more stats
Most schools do not require the MenB vaccine.
Many doctors do not discuss the MenB vaccine with their college-aged patients.
More than 80% of parents have not heard of the MenB vaccine.
The majority of 17-year-olds have not received at least one dose of the MenB vaccine.
Highlight sample educational materials
Attach a sample poster from our MenB curriculum
Offer to have Patti and Alicia speak to students
Patti and Alicia each lost their teenage daughters to Meningitis B. Telling their story can really help highlight the importance of Meningitis B prevention and vaccination. Both Patti and Alicia are available to speak to students and administrators on campus. Contact us if you are interested in having them speak at your school: info@meningitisbactionproject.org.