Health Services

Mission
The mission of the McMurry Health Services Center is to provide accessible, low-cost primary health care and health education; to be the caring intersection between health and education; to be developmentally appropriate, educationally effective, medically expert, accessible, and convenient.

Immunizations Required by McMurry University
Proof of the following immunizations is required for enrollment at McMurry University:

The following immunizations are strongly recommended but not required:

Copies of immunization records will be accepted as proof of immunizations. Please do not send the original shot record.

Meningitis and the College Student
Meningitis is a bacterial infection that can cause severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord. This disease is potentially very dangerous because it is relatively rare and it is often mistaken for a minor cold or the flu and, as a result, is ignored. The bad news is that up to 1 out of 5 people who develop meningococcal disease will die. Of those who survive, up to 1 in 5 will suffer from permanent disabilities such as amputation, brain damage, hearing loss, and seizures. Recognizing the characteristic signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease is critical and potentially lifesaving. The most common early symptoms of meningitis are similar to the flu. Many people complain about having a headache, fever, stiff neck, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Some people also develop a purplish red rash of small dots, mainly on their arms and legs.

Since the early 1990's, the number of meningitis outbreaks has increased in the United States. In fact, between 1991 and 1997 the number of cases of meningococcal meningitis nearly doubled from 308 cases to 600 cases among young adults (15-24 years of age). And new data from across the country continue to show that college-aged students, particularly freshman, living on campus, have a significantly higher risk of getting meningococcal disease than young people living off campus.

Why are college students more likely to get meningococcal disease? They often engage in activities that are part of campus life, such as living in crowded residence halls, going out to bars, drinking alcohol, smoking, and/or being around someone who smokes. And because the infection is easily transmitted through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions, direct contact with infected persons (eg, kissing, and/or sharing of utensils, drinking glasses, or cigarettes) puts your child at risk. Even if your child lives off campus and doesn't drink or smoke, he or she may still be at risk for meningococcal disease because of close contact with other students during classes and activities.

Studies show that over 70% of all cases of meningococcal disease in college students are vaccine-preventable. Today's meningococcal vaccine can help to protect your child against the most common forms of meningitis (bacteria strains A, C, Y, and W-135). The vaccine is generally safe and well tolerated. However, as with all vaccines, some reactions (eg, soreness or redness at the injection site, mild fever) can happen. Vaccination against meningitis is relatively inexpensive compared to lass of limbs and the neurological damage that this potentially fatal disease can cause.

Talk with your child's doctor or healthcare provider about meningitis vaccination. Call the McMurry University Health Office (325-793-4857) for further information or to reserve a vaccine for your child.

Educational information provided by Aventis Pasteur, Inc.