To: Oregon State Corvallis Faculty and Staff
From: Edward Feser, Provost and Executive Vice President
Date: February 7, 2018
Public health authorities continue to advise us that the “at risk” population for Meningococcal B disease is students 25 years of age and under, particularly those who live in congregate housing, or who are members of campus fraternal organizations.
In previous campus outbreaks of meningococcal disease around the country, university employees have not been found to be at generally increased risk. Because of this, we have not mandated vaccinations for employees. Instead, we have encouraged our faculty and staff to consult with their medical care providers or a local urgent care clinic regarding the risk of contracting Meningococcal B disease and the advisability of vaccination.
Some employees continue to express concerns about the risk of contracting MenB disease, and the potential need for a clinic that would make vaccinations more convenient. Therefore, the university is exploring holding an optional vaccination clinic on the Corvallis campus for faculty and staff. I do want to emphasize that the advice we have received about the risk to our employees has not changed.
The university would like to gauge employee interest in using the clinic, which would be conducted by an outside pharmacy. Please visit this Office of Human Resources website to confidentially express your interest in being vaccinated for MenB at such a clinic.
Also, the university is moving forward with a second round of vaccination clinics for students to assist them in meeting the vaccine requirement. I ask for your assistance once again to help communicate to our students the importance of their completing their MenB vaccinations if they have not already done so.
As you will recall, all OSU Corvallis students age 25 and under must complete these requisite vaccinations by Feb. 15, or they will not be able to register for spring term classes.
To help students meet this urgent health requirement, please share during classroom or instruction time that mass vaccination clinics will occur on campus Feb. 13-15 in partnership with Fred Meyer Pharmacy. A slide to assist you in sharing this information is attached.
Student vaccination clinic information:
- Tuesday, Feb. 13 through Thursday, Feb. 15
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- No appointment required
- Check-in: SEC Plaza outside the Memorial Union
- Kaiser Health Plans will be accepted at the Fred Meyer Clinics
- Students should attend regardless of insurance coverage, and staff will be available to discuss options.
For additional information, please visit the website: GetTheVax.oregonstate.edu
Thank you for your continued partnership regarding this important health matter.
Sincerely,
Edward Feser
Provost and Executive Vice President