4 Vaccines You Need for College
August 1, 2017 by Beth Peterson
Skipping or delaying vaccinations can harm your health—and maybe your grades
If you’re a college student—or soon to be one—making sure you’re fully vaccinated is critically important, especially if you’ll be living in a dorm or other shared space. That’s because large groups of people in close proximity provide the ideal conditions for spreading diseases, including those that are vaccine-preventable.
“Vaccines can keep students from contracting serious illnesses and keep them from missing classes,” says Sarah Van Orman, M.D., the head of university health services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Keep in mind that your school’s vaccination requirements may not be enough to protect you. Many universities—especially public institutions—follow their state’s requirements, which may not include the full list of vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
- HPV
- Flu
