Reports regarding last week’s death of a Metropolitan State College of Denver student who attended classes on the Auraria Campus may have raised awareness and questions regarding meningococcal disease. Health officials now say they do not believe that was what caused the death but a cause has not yet been identified.
Because this situation has again raised awareness, students, faculty and staff are reminded that day-to-day exposure in the classroom is not considered a risk for meningococcal disease. More information about how it is transmitted and symptoms is available from the Centers for Disease Control about this disease and vaccination (http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html).
On the Auraria Campus, the Health Center at Auraria is offering free vaccines (while supplies last) for Auraria-based students to protect against the meningococcal bacteria. For more information see Health Center at Auraria http://www.mscd.edu/healthcenter. Students based on the Anschutz Medical Campus should contact their personal health care providers for vaccine availability.
Some cases of seasonal flu also are being reported throughout the area. As students, faculty and staff travel or gather for seasonal festivities it is important to take personal measures to protect against flu bugs. Everyone is encouraged to be informed and to follow recommended preventative measures (http://www.mscd.edu/healthcenter/health_alerts/) including a vaccine. Flu vaccine availability is as follows:
Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora -- Students, faculty and staff based on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora can schedule an appointment for a flu vaccine through the UC Denver Occupational Health Clinic on the AMC Campus. Cost is $20, cash only. Please call 303-724-0345 to schedule an individual appointment. It also might be worth your time to check with your health insurance provider to find out if they are providing flu vaccines or covering the costs.
Auraria Campus, Downtown Denver -- Students, faculty and staff based on the Auraria/Denver Campus can call 303-556-2525 and press “6” for updated campus influenza information and clinic schedules. Students must show a valid UC Denver photo ID.