Meningitis B mass immunization response to an outbreak at a large university campus

What is it about?

University of Wisconsin - Madison experienced a meningococcal serogroup B outbreak. In collaboration with the CDC and local, county, and state public health organizations, campus student health services, immunized more than 20,000 students over 7 days. These entities along with support from the university's police, recreation sports, housing, and athletic departments and student, faculty and staff volunteers from the nursing, pharmacy, and medical schools conducted the response. Emergency preparedness, communication and quality improvement strategies along with technology solutions were leveraged. The response resulted in 67% percent of the targeted campus undergraduate population including 74% of students living in residence halls.

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Why is it important?

Universities and public health entities may build on this experience to hone their emergency response plans.