Ohio students to be immunized against meningitis this fall

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Certain students in Ohio who are returning to school this fall must be immunized against meningitis under a new law.

The state's health department says all incoming 7th graders must have one dose of the meningococcal vaccine, and all incoming 12th graders must have a second dose of the vaccine.

It's the first school year the requirement has been in place. With few exceptions, it applies to students at public and nonpublic schools that are subject to state standards. Students could be exempt for medical or religious reasons.

The measure was sponsored by Republican Sen. Cliff Hite of Findlay. Hite has said his family learned how quickly meningitis can affect young people when his niece died hours after contracting the disease.

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Online:

Immunization information: http://bit.ly/2ayjMj2