The end of summer, beginning of fall is an exciting time in a teenager's life. Many are getting ready to head off to college and are getting their back to school supplies: notebooks, futons, dorm room accessories and...immunizations?

If they are attending a public college or university in Georgia, teens need to make sure they are up to date on recommended immunizations.

The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia collaborates with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop and implement immunization policy for public colleges and universities. This policy is consistent with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations. DPH wants to take August, National Immunization Awareness Month, to remind young Georgians to make sure they have their proper immunizations.

Immunizations recommended for young adults ages 19-24 include:

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which helps prevent meningococcal disease
• Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (also known as whooping cough)
• HPV vaccine, which protects against the viruses that cause most cervical cancers, anal cancer, and genital warts
• Seasonal flu vaccine

There may be other immunizations recommended for young Georgians because their health, job or lifestyle may put them at higher risk for certain diseases. They should talk to a doctor or nurse to find out if there are other immunizations that they may need.

In January 2004 a law went into effect in Georgia, requiring public and nonpublic post-secondary educational institutions to give students residing in campus housing information about meningococcal disease and vaccine. In addition, students are required to sign a document provided by the post-secondary institution stating that he or she has received a vaccination against meningococcal disease or that they have received information about meningitis and the vaccine.

According to the CDC, meningococcal disease is rare. About 1,000 to 1,200 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Even when they are treated with antibiotics, close to 15 percent of these people die. Of those who live, another 11 to 19 percent lose their arms or legs, have problems with their nervous systems, become deaf or suffer seizures or strokes.

These cases often occur in college students. The disease is spread through air droplets and direct contact with someone who is infected. College students, particularly freshmen living in dorms, are at increased risk because of their lifestyle.

"Adolescents have the highest rates of meningitis and it is important to maintain a child's immunizations to protect against childhood preventable diseases," said J. Patrick O'Neal, M.D., director of health protection for DPH. "Vaccination is the most effective way to help protect against meningitis and other preventable diseases, like influenza."

Georgia's college students have the best chance of staying healthy this school year by making sure their immunizations are up to date before heading to campus later this month.

-Story by Kimberly Stringer, DPH Communications