Evaluation of Mass Vaccination Clinics in Response to a Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease Outbreak at a Large, Public University—Oregon, 2015

Abstract

PurposeBetween January and May 2015, seven people at a large, public university developed invasive serogroup B meningococcal disease. One case was fatal. Attack rates were highest among freshmen and members of sororities, and fraternities (Greek organizations). Mass vaccination clinics using newly licensed serogroup B vaccine were held in March, May, and October 2015. No cases occurred after the second mass vaccination clinic. MethodsWe surveyed vaccine recipients at each clinic from March to October 2015 to determine preferred methods for notification about vaccination clinics, assess motivations for attending, and evaluate the clinic attendee population. ResultsVaccination rates were low; 15% of undergraduates received one vaccine dose. An additional 11% received two doses of the three-dose MenB-FHbp series, and 4% completed a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine series at a mass vaccination clinic. University freshmen were 2.3 times as likely (confidence interval: 2.2–2.9) and Greek members 1.3 times as likely (confidence interval: 1.2–1.4) to attend a mass vaccination clinic as nonfreshmen or non-Greek members, respectively. Attendees reported e-mail as their preferred communication method (90%). Concerns about developing meningococcal disease (66%) and parental request (56%) were the most commonly cited motivations for attending a vaccination clinic. ConclusionsThe serogroup B meningococcal outbreak at this large, public university disproportionately affected freshmen and students affiliated with Greek organizations. Despite low overall vaccination rates, the vaccination campaign did reach the populations at risk. In future outbreaks at large universities, we recommend focusing vaccination efforts on specific at-risk populations to maximize vaccination of those most at risk for this deadly disease.