If they are a college student, then the answer is “yes!”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 800-1,500 cases per year of meningococcal disease occur in the U.S. Many of you have probably heard of the meningococcal outbreaks on various college campuses over the last few years, but what you may not realize is that most of these outbreaks were caused by meningococcus serogroup B. The traditional meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) does not cover serogroup B, only serogroups A, C, Y, and W135. The CDC estimates that 1 out of every 3 invasive meningococcal cases is caused by serogroup B. A vaccine against meningococcal B was not readily available for use in the United States until 2015.

At Georgia Tech, students under 22 years of age are required to have had the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), which vaccinates against meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y, and W135, after their 16th birthday. MCV4 is a great vaccine, however, it does not protect against meningococcal B, and this vaccine is not required at Georgia Tech.

As part of the Georgia Tech college community, Stamps Health Services (SHS) is committed to providing students with the best care possible. Even though the meningococcal B vaccine is not required, it is available here at SHS.

Below are the prices for the meningococcal B vaccinations at SHS.

Bexsero (2 dose series) $197 per dose*

Trumenba (3 dose series) $138 per dose*

*Prescription insurance may cover some/all of the vaccine cost.

Please feel free to contact the pharmacy staff at SHS for more information regarding your insurance coverage for the meningococcal B vaccine 404-894-1430.