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Keeping MSU students healthy

Contact: Beth Alexander, University Physician, (517) 353-9101, beth.alexander@ht.msu.edu; or Tom Oswald, University Relations, (517) 432-0920, oswald@msu.edu

Thanks to an aggressive awareness campaign, MSU has an extraordinarily high rate of immunization among its students. Conversely, the university also sees corresponding low rates of certain diseases.

Following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MSU health officials strongly urge students to be vaccinated against the “big four” diseases: hepatitis B, varicella or chickenpox, tetanus/diphtheria and meningococcus, or meningitis.

In addition, the university requires that all newly entering undergraduates fill out an immunization self report. Students who fail to do so are not allowed to register and enroll the following semester.

“The consequence of these programs is that we have the best rates of voluntary immunization of any public college or university in the country,” says University Physician Beth Alexander. “For example, more than 65 percent of our students are vaccinated against meningitis.”

She notes that Michigan State has not had a meningitis case in more than two years, nor has it seen an active case of tuberculosis for two years.

Meanwhile, Alexander said the biggest health issues that university officials must now watch is emerging, international infectious diseases such as bird flu and SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.

“This is a challenge, not only for universities, but for a global society as well,” she says. “Fortunately, MSU is in a good position. We have an active travel clinic to serve our international travelers, including students, faculty and staff. This preventive advice and medication can help reduce the chances of illness.”

For additional information, visit the Office of University Physician Web Site at www.uphys.msu.edu/ or the Web site of Olin Health Center, MSU’s student health center, at olin.msu.edu/