[f_r_E_a_K]

Basically, there needs to be proof of certain vaccinations upon entrance to first semester of freshman year in all universities. My university (probably the same for all) REQUIRES these:

Proof of immunity must include a tetanus/diphtheria booster within 10 years of attendance; two measles immunizations, both after one year of age and after December 31, 1968; one mumps immunization after one year of age and after December 31, 1967; one rubella immunization after one year of age and after December 31, 1968.

However, my school also lists several RECOMMENDED (but not required) vaccinations:

Hepatitis B vaccine series, Bacterial Meningitis vaccine, Mumps, HPV

Which of these would be most beneficial towards shared dorm living? Also, I know there are certain side effects to some of these vaccinations that have ended up with horrendous results...has anyone every experienced negative side effects to these vaccinations?

Please share your knowledge and experience!

[neville]

meningitis if you're living in dorms. tetanus if you're outdoors a lot...

and I would get some that you don't have to get for the dorms but ones that you're outdated on. depending on your doctor, the shots should be virtually painless esp. if they use a really small needle and it's like a millisecond. I'm freakishly scared of needles, but when a nurse came in and put a shot on me for hep. A, I was literally, "was that it?" because it was so fast.

[stoner beans]

i thought hep B and meningitis would be required.. even for high school.. o__o
but yeah i would recommend those two the most since they are important.

[joonage]

I had to get the measles one since I got one of my two before I was two.

Also, I got the meningitis one. It's highly recommended from most colleges since it can spread pretty quickly, especially in a dorm.

And the chances of negative consquences are really slim. You might get a slight fever or dizziness since your body's going to fight off the viruses from the vaccine. But other than that, it's like less than 1% probably that something terrible will happen. Haha ... and it's not that painful. Your arm's just a little sore. And I believe the measles one burns when they inject it. That's why they do it when you're an infant. (What my doc told me xD)

[phalken]

Like the other said, definitely get hepB and meningitis vaccines since you're gonna be living in a dorm.

Also though, HPV is pretty good to get, if only to get it out of the way early. Right now, HPV vaccine is only approved for people under 26 years old, so it's easier and safer to just get it early, and then you can forget about it. It doesn't really matter if you're sexually active now or plan to be in college, it's more of a thinking ahead thing. Also, a lot of insurances cover HPV for young people, so you don't have the shell out the 300-400 dollars yourself.

[kansaieito]

Do you HAVE to? I personally haven't been vaccinated since I had my first measles shot. My father was majorly against them so none for me after that. I got by in school because my state fails but recently they've been telling everyone they have to...sucks for the kids in school now. BUT my state also allows us to claim philosophical opposition to vaccinations. If any outbreak occurs we would be barred from campus until it is under control but meh, not like I go to class anyway...thats why we have blackboard. If you really don't want to get them, you could check your state laws and see if you can claim a philosophical thing. There's a form you fill out and they put it on file. No biggie.