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Meningitis Vaccine Required For 6th, 12th Graders Returning To School

(CBS) -- Pens, pencils, new clothes and a newly required vaccine are on the back to school list for all 6th and 12th graders in Illinois.

CBS 2's Derrick Blakley finds out what's behind the rule change.

16-year-old Ellie Pearlman is about to get a newly required vaccine that could save her life and her mother couldn't be more pleased.

"I've seen on the news and I've heard terrible stories about children dying and it just not going to happen to my kids," said Pearlman.

The vaccine is for meningitis and for the first time this year, it's required for all Illinois students heading into 6th grade and 12th grade.

"There's about 1,000 cases a year, ten percent of those, even with early antibiotic therapy, actually die," said Dr. Emily Glogower.

Another 20 percent of victims experience long-term effects like brain damage, nerve damage, or loss of limbs. In fact, public health experts say meningitis may be the one disease that scares them most.

"An otherwise healthy person can be killed by this germ in 24 hours," said Dr. Craig Conover of the Illinois Department of Health.

The vaccine for 12th graders is crucial because it protects through college, where the close quarters of dorms and gymnasiums bring higher risk.

"It's spread through close face-to-face contact and through respiratory secretions so things like coughing, sneezing can potentially spread the germs," said Dr. Conover.

Many doctors have been giving the meningitis vaccine for years because it's long been recommended by the CDC, but now it's required.

If your 6th or 12th grader reports to school without it, they'll get a warning and an extension, but after October 15, they may be barred from school.

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