Dallas County Health and Human Services said Friday that they are out of the meningitis vaccine for the Adult Safety Net program.
The state-sponsored program offers a low-cost meningitis vaccine for $10, compared to the normal cost of $150. The $150 vaccine is still available, the DCHHS said.
A surge in demand, due to legislation requiring public and private college students under 30 to be vaccinated, made keeping stock difficult, DCHHS said.
Texas is the first state to require universal vaccination as a prerequisite for college enrollment. The law went into effect Jan. 1.
According to the department, college students are especially at risk to the potentially deadly disease because of their age and proximity to others in close living quarters.
Bacterial meningitis is caused when the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord becomes infected and inflamed. The disease is spread from person to person when respiratory secretions are passed by coughing, sneezing, kissing and sharing personal items such as drinking and eating utensils.
