Meningococcal (muh-NIN-jah-kah-kul) meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection. It most commonly attacks the brain and spinal cord or presents as a bacteria in the blood. It can result in permanent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, organ failure, loss of limbs or death, often within hours of the first symptoms.

Certain college students have been found to be at risk for meningococcal meningitis. In fact, freshmen living in dormitories are found to be six times more likely to contract this disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends college students, particularly freshmen living in dormitories, learn more about meningococcal meningitis and consider vaccination. They also recommend other college students who wish to reduce their risk for the disease also be vaccinated.

SB 243 would require postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska to provide written notice to each student who intends to reside in campus housing with information about meningococcal meningitis. Further, all students who will be attending postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska would be required to sign a document provided by the institution indicating they have received an immunization or a notice that they have received the information regarding immunization.

Representatives from the University of Alaska don't feel this would be a burden to university operations and stated there would be no extra cost to implement this legislation.

Alaska would join 23 other states and the U.S. House and Senate that have either pending or enacted similar legislation.