Ohio students now must be immunized against bacterial meningitis under a new state law.

Starting for the 2016-17 school year, students entering seventh grade in Ohio are required to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease before school starts. A second dose of meningococcal vaccine is required before a student can enter the 12th grade.

The bacterial meningitis vaccine has been required in West Virginia for the past four years. The Mountain State law, which took effect in 2012-13, mandates that students be vaccinated against meningococcal disease before entering seventh and 12th grades.

Ohio Department of Health Director Richard Hodges said the second dose must be administered on or after the youth’s 16th birthday, with at least eight weeks between the first and second doses. He said that if the first dose was administered after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required.

The bacterial meningitis vaccine can be obtained from family physicians, local health departments or pharmacies.

Linda Mehl, nursing director of the Belmont County Health Department, said the meningococcal vaccine is available at the department’s office in St. Clairsville. Mehl said a private supply of vaccine also has been purchased to immunize children of people who have private health insurance. Insurers will be billed for the immunization.

The meningococcal vaccine also is available at Kroger pharmacies in Ohio.

Kroger pharmacist Tara Green said, “Our Kroger certified immunizers can provide all recommended vaccines for patients age 13 and older. We do need a prescription for those between 7 and 12 years old. Most of our locations are conveniently open seven days a week, including evenings, and an appointment is not required.”

A case of bacterial meningitis was confirmed in a student at Jefferson Avenue Elementary School in the Shadyside Local School District in December 2013.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bacterial meningitis is serious and can be deadly. It can be prevented with vaccination. CDC officials said people at increased risk to get meningococcal disease include infants younger than 1 year old, those ages 16-23, people with certain medical conditions that affect the immune system, microbiologists and people at risk because of an outbreak in their community.

According to CDC’s vaccine statement: “Even when it is treated, meningococcal disease kills 10 to 15 infected people out of 100. And of those who survive, about 10 to 20 out of every 100 will suffer disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage, kidney damage, amputations, nervous system problems or severe scars from skin grafts.”

Ohio law also requires school children in the state to be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. The vaccine, referred to as Tdap, is required for children prior to entering seventh grade.