Dallas County Community College District health officials say students aren't getting the right vaccinations, and when they're showing up to register they are being turned around.
Since January 2012, incoming college and university students are required to receive one dose of meningococcal vaccine prior to attending school to combat bacterial meningitis (meningococcal disease).
The vaccine is typically called Meningitis ACWY vaccine.
In 2014, the Meningitis B vaccine became available and now students are receiving it instead of the required vaccine.
The Meningitis B vaccine is recommended but not required.
"Sometimes, the students and parents will just say, 'We need the meningitis vaccine to get into college,' and they end up receiving the B, when in fact, the state law says they should have had the ACWY," said Mildred Kelley, campus nurse at Brookhaven College.
Kelley says problems with misunderstanding of immunization requirements among students have been reported at three Dallas County community colleges, including Brookhaven.
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Students who don't have the mandated immunizations face a delay in registration for fall classes, which ends Aug. 20 at Brookhaven.
"They don't want to be delayed. They don't always complain about getting another shot, they just don't want to be delayed," said Kelley.
Meningococcal disease is spread from person to person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and can be fatal.
"One out of eight will die, and about one in five will have serious morbidity after they survive. That means potential cognitive defects, basically brain damage," said Dr. Daniel Moulton at TLC Pediatrics in Allen.
Moulton says students should get both meningitis vaccinations to be safe.
New students should make sure they get at least the mandated immunization before attempting to register for college courses.
