Meningitis vaccine in short supply

Students eager to register for classes may have a hurdle. The district website states low cost vaccinations are available for uninsured students through Metro Health and University Health systems.

However, both community clinics are out of the discounted meningitis vaccination required for all incoming freshmen, transfer students and students with at least one semester break between courses.

Joe Jacques, assistant director of admissions, said students must provide proof of vaccination at least 10 days before enrollment and wait six days after submission for removal of the "BM" hold on their ACES account.

Dina Guillen, public health nursing supervisor with Metro Health, said it is out of state- funded vaccinations for low-income families. Instead, clinic personnel are administering their reserve stock, which costs $145 plus a $15 administrative fee.

Guillen said the next order will not arrive until mid-December. "A lot of students and schools are calling us and we try to refer them to alternatives, but we are all running low."

Rose Durán, outpatient customer service representative with University Health Systems, said the $10 vaccine will not be in stock for up to two months, but students should check back.

CentroMed at 315 N. San Saba, said they were out of the vaccination, but it is in stock at 3750 Commercial at a cost of $35-$83.

Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student affairs, said the college could not modify the state requirement.

On Monday when spring registration opened, currently enrolled students discovered a bacterial meningitis hold on their accounts.

Enrollment Director Martin Ortega said admissions and records representatives immediately reviewed students' records to remove the hold.

No information was available on how many students were affected.

For more information, visit http://alamo.edu/meningitis.