The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved on Tuesday the use of meningitis B vaccine to about 5,500 students living in the dormitories and other members of Princeton University.
Officials from the Princeton University have confirmed the eight case of meningitis last week after a female student was rushed to the hospital with symptoms of the brain infection.
Although they were still investigating if the case is related to other seven cases recorded in March, they have filed a request to the institute to launch a vaccination campaign. They needed approval as the drug they plan to use, eight Bexsero by Swiss Novartis, has no license yet in the U.S. However, it is being used in Australia and Europe.
Young adults and those with weakened immune system are most at risk to meningitis. School officials fear a possible outbreak in the dormitories as the students live near each other.
The Bexsero vaccine will be administered in two doses and will be paid by Princeton University administration. Students can go to the Frist Campus Center from December 9 to 12 for the first dose. The second dose will be set on February but no specific date was provided.
Aside from Princeton University, CNN also reported three meningitis cases at the University of California, Santa Barbara. School officials said that these cases were not related to Princeton University although it is the same strain.
While the Princeton school officials are worried about the health of their students, they encourage people to continue their regular school activities.
In Princeton's statement Tuesday, the university said: "The CDC and state health officials recommend that classes and activities at Princeton University continue as planned, and the surrounding community can continue to attend events on the campus. They do not recommend any travel restrictions for members of the University community."
