In response to the meningitis outbreak at Princeton University, students will be offered a vaccine that not been approved for use in the United States or the United Kingdom.

The vaccine is licensed only in Europe and Australia. It has been approved for importation by the Food and Drug Administration in a measure to stop the spread of the disease at Princeton University.

The need to import the vaccine stems from the fact that the licensed meningitis vaccine that New Jersey law requires all Princeton students living in dorms to receive protects against most strains of the meningococcal bacteria but not type B, which is the type that caused the outbreak at the University. As yet, there is no such vaccine available in the United States.

The University’s decision to use Bexsero made by Novartis, which helps protect against meningitis type B, was announced Monday after University Trustees had discussed the issue over the weekend.

Since March, there have been seven cases of meningococcal disease associated with the University. The first case was a female student who developed symptoms on March 22. Subsequent cases were reported: one in April, two in May, one in June, one in October, and one earlier this month. All were caused by the meningococcal bacteria known as type B. All people affected have recovered or are recovering and the disease has not spread beyond the campus.

According to a statement released by the University, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviewed the seven cases at the request of the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). The CDC then requested approval from the Food and Drug Administration to allow use of the Bexsero vaccine.

“The University hopes to make the first of two doses of the vaccine available on specific dates in early December, which would be announced soon,” said University spokesperson Martin Mbugua in a prepared statement that he read to the press Monday, November 18. He declined to answer questions.

“We expect to make a second dose available. Two doses of the vaccine are required for maximum protection,” he said.

It is recommended that all Princeton University undergraduate students living in dorms or off campus and all graduate students living in dorms receive the vaccine, which will be optional.

The University would cover the cost of the vaccine for all students who receive it. Students under the age of 18 would need a signed consent form from their parent or guardian and the vaccine would be administered by Maxim Health Systems, which runs the annual flu vaccine clinic on campus.

“The University continues to provide reminders and other information on campus via posters and table tents in common areas, and through athletic teams and student groups,” said Mr. Mbugua. The CDC and state health officials recommend that activities on campus continue as normal.

Meningococcal disease, a severe infection of the blood or the meninges (the covering of the brain and spinal cord), is fairly rare in the United States. It is spread by coughing, sneezing, and kissing, and most cases occur in previously healthy children and young adults and can easily spread in crowded dorm rooms.

Early symptoms may be similar to those of the common cold: fever, headache, body aches, and tiredness. They may be followed by stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sensitivity to light. Most people with the disease are hospitalized and treated with antibiotics.

The University has distributed some 5,000 red, 16-ounce cups with a message to students not to share their beverages. Other precautionary measures include: coughing into a sleeve or tissue, washing hands frequently; not sharing drinking glasses, smoking materials, or utensils used for eating.

According to the CDC, the bacteria that cause meningitis are less infectious than the viruses that cause the flu.

For more information, visit: NJ Department of Health www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/meningococcal_faqs.pdf or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html. Information on precautionary measures are available to the public on the municipal website www.princetonnj.gov.

The University’s website has general meningitis information: http://web.princeton.edu/sites/emergency/meningitis.html.