The university is warning all incoming students that the vaccination is "strongly recommended."
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Rutgers University is advising all returning and incoming undergraduate students at its New Brunswick campus to get an extra vaccination this summer after two cases of meningitis at the university this spring.
The vaccine is designed to protect against meningitis B, a strain not covered by the the routine meningitis vaccine students living in college housing are required to get under state law.
Though rare, the contagious infection that begins with with flu-like symptoms can kill or cause serious disabilities.
Rutgers had previously warned returning students that they should get the vaccine whether or not they live on campus. The university this week informed all incoming students that the precaution is "strongly recommended."
The Food and Drug Administration approved the meningitis B vaccines in 2014 and 2015. Rutgers is recommending students receive a vaccine available under the trade name Trumenba, which comes in three doses.
The university advises students to receive both the first and second dose before the fall semester. The second dose is administered one or two months after the first, the university said.
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