COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For Central Ohio students, class is right around the corner and if you are sending your child to college, you may be thinking about the meningitis vaccine.

NBC 4's Amy Basista received an e-mail from a concerned parent on her blog, Ask Amy, and thought other parents may have the same questions.

FAST FACTS:

• There is no state law requiring students to get the meningitis vaccine. It's up to families.
• Proposed legislation is aimed at changing that.
• One Ohio lawmaker is saying Ohio's law doesn't measure up.

"Getting everyone vaccinated on all this is a high priority for us," said Deborah Coleman, Asst. Columbus Health Commissioner.

Student Breanna Bowling received the meningitis vaccine -- not because she had to -- but because her family thought it was a good idea.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.

Symptoms include a high fever of 102 degrees or higher, and a stiff neck. If not treated immediately, it can be deadly.

Meningitis is spread by sharing a glass, coughing or kissing. Since most college students live in dorms, the Centers for Disease Control recommends getting the vaccine.

Ohio Sen. Gary Cates is backing proposed legislation that would require students living on campus to get vaccinated for meningitis and hepatitis B, or obtain a waiver.

According to the Hannah Report, Sen. Cates said, "Ohio's law is insufficient."

Parents are urged to talk to their child's doctor, not assuming that they're vaccinated.

NBC 4 spent all day researching the meningitis vaccine and found that the price can range from $60 to more than $100, depending on coverage.

Ohio colleges and universities NBC 4 checked with don't require students to get the vaccine, but the student health centers recommend it.

At The Ohio State University, the vaccine costs $120. At Otterbein College, it costs $100. Ohio University offers the vaccine for $105, and it costs $170 and $110 at Miami University and Bowling Green State University, respectively.

Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.

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