Texas Children's Hospital - "Facing Meningitis"

This educational and compelling video conveys the importance of young people receiving the meningococcal meningitis vaccine before going to college. Since adolescents ages 16 to 21 have the highest rates of meningococcal meningitis, the video tells the story of two college students: Jamie Schanbaum, a University of Texas student who had both of her legs amputated because of meningitis in 2008, and Nicolis Williams, a Texas A&M University student who died in early 2011 from the disease.

This video also features the parents of Nicolis Williams, a Texas A&M University student who died in early 2011 from the disease during his junior year. Williams' father, Greg Williams, recalls "Nick, in a period of hours, went from a healthy, vibrant young man to being brain dead."

"The good news is that meningococcal meningitis is vaccine preventable and that the vaccine is currently available at many primary care offices, retail pharmacies, public health departments and campus health clinics to make it easiest for the student," said Dr. Carol J. Baker, (http://texaschildrens.org/Locate/Doct...) who is the executive director of the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children's Hospital and a professor of pediatrics and of molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine. "Even though there's a new law requiring incoming students to get the meningococcal vaccine, the goal of this video is to educate parents and students about the disease and the vaccine, and then persuade them to make the right choice. "

"We know that one in seven college students who get meningitis will die. What makes the video impactful is that any student or parent can quickly see that it could happen to them," said Dr. Julie A. Boom, (http://texaschildrens.org/Locate/Doct...) who is the director of infant and childhood immunization for the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research and an associate professor of pediatrics for Baylor College of Medicine. "This video is a great tool for organizations, healthcare associations and vaccine advocates to use when educating the public about meningitis vaccination."

Read more about Jamie, Nicolis and about Texas Childrens here: http://texaschildrens.org/About-Us/Ne...

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[cutepuppyslovel]

R.I.P Nico, I'm so so sorry, I got my meningitis shot today, so glad I did.

[Jessica Crenshaw]

Miss you so much Nic. You are in my thoughts everyday...

[Darshini Shah]

Not a day goes by where I don't think of you. Love and miss you so much, Nic.

Get vaccinated.

[taz997]

We miss you Nico.