Information for Secondary Residential Schools
New York State Public Health Law (NYS PHL) §2167 was signed into law on July 22, 2003 and became effective on August 15, 2003. This law requires secondary residential schools to:
- Distribute information about meningococcal meningitis (also called meningococcal disease) and vaccination to parents or guardians of students in grades 7 — 12.
- Maintain a record of the following for each student:
- A response, signed by the student's parent or guardian (or the student if he/she is 18 years of age or older), that information about meningococcal disease and vaccine information was received. This must include information on the availability and cost of meningococcal meningitis vaccine (Menactra™).
and either- A record of meningococcal meningitis immunization within the past 10 years. or
- An acknowledgement of meningococcal disease risks and refusal of meningococcal meningitis immunization signed by the student's parent or guardian (or the student if he/she is 18 years of age or older).
- A response, signed by the student's parent or guardian (or the student if he/she is 18 years of age or older), that information about meningococcal disease and vaccine information was received. This must include information on the availability and cost of meningococcal meningitis vaccine (Menactra™).
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has sample materials below that can be adapted for your school's use, including: a letter to parents, vaccination response form, and immunization record. The sample Residential School Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Response Form, or a NYSDOH approved form (see below), should be used when documenting receipt of meningococcal disease information and immunization status.
At a minimum, your school must provide students, and/or parents of minor students, information on meningococcal disease and its transmission, and the benefits, risks and effectiveness of immunization. This information is included in the NYSDOH Meningococcal Disease fact sheet, Information for College Students and Parents of Children at Residential Schools and Overnight Camps, found below.
In addition, each school must provide information on the availability and cost of immunization, including an indication of whether or not the school offers meningococcal meningitis immunization services.
If your school offers the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) can be found below. In addition to the English version, the meningococcal VIS has been translated into other languages. All translations may be downloaded and reprinted from the Immunization Action Coalition website, also below.
If your school does not offer the vaccine, students should be referred to their private health care provider for vaccination.
If your school chooses NOT to use any of the materials above, then your school's materials MUST be forwarded for prior approval to:
New York State Department of Health
Bureau of Immunization
Room 649, Corning Tower
Albany, NY 12237
FAX (518) 474-1495
The information below should assist you in implementing this Public Health Law. If you have any questions regarding the meningococcal meningitis requirements, please contact the NYSDOH Bureau of Immunization regional office representative nearest your institution:
| Office | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Capital District Region (Albany) | (518) 408-5278 |
| Western Region (Buffalo) | (716) 847-4385 |
| Western Region (Rochester) | (585) 423-8014 |
| Central Region (Syracuse) | (315) 477-8164 |
| New Rochelle and Long Island Region | (914) 654-7194 |
| New York City (5 boroughs) | (212) 676-2259 |
Resources
- Sample Residential School Parent letter
- Sample Residential School Meningococcal Vaccination Response Form
- Sample Prematriculation Immunization Record
- NYSDOH Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet
- NYS Public Health Law §2167 (Signed Bill)
- Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statement, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Vaccine Information Statements in languages other than English, Immunization Action Coalition
