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Letter to Parents of First Year Students

June 2007

Dear Family of a First Year Student:

Welcome to UGA! We know that with all that is going on in the transition to college life, there is little time to think about illness prevention. The University Health Center is committed to both prevention and treatment of health problems, and we want you to know about immunizations and health screenings offered by the Health Center.

The Board of Regents requires all incoming students for fall 2007 to be immunized against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), varicella (chicken pox) and tetanus. If your student is 18 or younger, proof of immunization to hepatitis B is also required. Documentation must be on file in order for students to register. If a student is unable to provide documentation, a blood titer test is available for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B at the University Health Center to determine immunity. Students may have the test taken at the health center when they come to orientation.

You may also be aware a vaccine is available to protect against most forms of bacterial meningitis. While the incidence of the disease is actually very low, only 1.4 cases per 100,000 in the 18 to 23 year old group, it is serious and can be fatal.

The vaccine protects against four of the five serotypes of the form of bacterial meningitis known as neisseria meningitidis. It is important to understand that the currently available vaccine will substantially decrease, but not eliminate, the risk of bacterial meningitis resulting from neisseria meningitidis since the vaccine does not protect against all serotypes of the disease. Therefore, even if vaccinated, your student should seek medical attention if symptoms of an upper respiratory illness progressively worsen.

Students residing in residence halls are required to sign documentation that they have either received the meningitis vaccine or have reviewed information about the disease and have declined the vaccine. The Housing Department will be distributing a health center fact sheet about meningitis prior to the fall semester. Additional information is available on the University Health Center web site at www.uhs.uga.edu.

Hepatitis B is a serious and life threatening disease which attacks the liver. It is also a communicable disease that is transmitted through body fluids. The good news is that it is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine. The American College Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control recommend that all college students receive the Hepatitis B vaccine.

The Hepatitis B series consists of three injections. The second injection is given 30 days after the first injection, and the third is given 6 months after the first injection.

A vaccine is available which has shown to be effective in preventing infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) strains that cause about 70% of cases of cervical cancer. It is a three dose series with the second dose given one month after the first injection and the third dose given 6 months after the first injection. This vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated women through age 26.

All required and recommended vaccines are available at the health center and will be offered during orientation. Immunization hours are Monday - Friday from 9:30 - 11:30 am and 1:00 - 3:30 pm.

For additional information about immunizations please call 706-542-8617.

We can bill your insurance company if the cost of these immunizations is covered by your plan and your son or daughter brings the insurance information at the time of the first injection.

Flu vaccine is recommended for college age students and is offered seasonally, October - February, at the health center.

In addition to these immunization services, we also offer free periodic health screenings for students. These include:

• Testicular cancer screening (September). Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men in this age group.
• Breast health awareness (October). Learning how to do breast exams now is an important life-long skill.
• Heart Health Month (February). Cholesterol and blood pressure screening are encouraged.

For additional information just for parents log on to our web site at www.uhs.uga.edu.

We hope your student has a healthy successful year at UGA.

Sincerely,
Jean E. Chin, MD, MBA, FACP
Executive Director