As students return to campuses throughout the state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging institutions of higher learning to review their vaccination requirements and improve on campus immunization delivery, according to MLive.
The recommendation comes after reports of a mumps case in May at Calvin College in Grand Rapids and a death related to bacterial meningitis in Macomb County reported in July. In 2016, there have been multiple renascent outbreaks of both the mumps and the measles recorded across the nation. Few colleges and universities in the state of Michigan have immunization requirements for students and there is no state law requiring students to be vaccinated.
"These latest vaccine preventable disease cases combined with the remarkably low vaccination coverage rates in Michigan serve as a reminder of the unique risk factors of the campus environment for the spread of disease: close contact in dorms, classrooms, public transportation, parties and sporting events," wrote Eden Wells, MD, CMO of MDHHS, in a letter addressed to higher education leaders. "We ask that Michigan colleges and universities prepare for all eventualities and continue to examine vaccine requirements that best protect the campus environment for incoming students, visitors, faculty and staff."
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