Southeastern Utah District Health Department has a limited
amount of meningococcal vaccine available free of charge. Dottie
Flemett, Nursing Director for SEUDHD was instrumental in
obtaining the vaccine through a special project grant. "We will
have free vaccine through May 9", states Flemett, "after that it
will still be available at a cost of $93." Meningococcal
meningitis is a serious illness caused by bacteria. It is often
misdiagnosed because its early signs are much like those of the
flu or migraines. Symptoms may include high fever, headache,
stiff neck, confusion, nausea, vomiting and exhaustion. The
disease is spread through air droplets and direct contact with
someone who's infected. That includes: coughing, kissing, and
sharing cups, lip balm, cigarettes, utensils-anything an
infected person touches with his or her mouth. Flemett states
college students are at special risk. Freshmen living in
dormitories are up to six times more likely to get the disease
than other people. Flemett also said, "The d