Garrett's Law

Garrett's law was enacted in 2004. It mandates schools provide parents and guardians with information about meningococcal meningitis and influenza and the vaccines that protect against these diseases. The law was expanded in 2007 to mandate that information also be provided about human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccines available to protect against HPV.

The following information is provided by the North Carolina Immunization Branch which can be accessed by visiting: Garrett's Law.

Meningococcal Disease The Disease Meningitis is a contagious respiratory disease caused by bacteria and is spread through air droplets and direct contact with infected persons. It can be spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing items like drinking glasses, lip balm, eating utensils or cigarettes. Adolescents and young adults are at increased risk of contracting this disease. Invasive meningococcal disease occurs in three common forms: meningitis, blood infection and pneumonia; other forms account for a small percentage of cases.

The Vaccine Meningococcal vaccines protect against most types of meningococcal disease, although they do not prevent all cases. There are two kinds of vaccines that protect against meningitis available in the United States: meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

Who Should get Vaccinated? • Children 2 through 10 years of age should receive two doses of meningococcal vaccine only if they are at increased risk for the disease. • All 11- through12-year-old adolescents should be vaccinated with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4). A booster dose should be given at age 16 years. For adolescents who receive the first dose at age 13 through 15 years, a one-time booster dose should be administered, preferably at age 16 through 18 years, before the peak in increased risk. Adolescents who receive their first dose of MCV4 at or after age 16 years do not need a booster dose. • Adults should get meningitis vaccine if they: • Are a college freshmen living in a dormitory • Are a military recruit • Have a damaged spleen or your spleen has been removed • Have terminal complement deficiency • Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis (the causal pathogen) • Are traveling or residing in countries in which the disease is common.

North Carolina Requirements Two doses. One dose is required for individuals entering the seventh grade or by 12 years of age, whichever comes first, on or after July 1, 2015. A booster dose is required for individuals entering the 12th grade or by 17 years of age, whichever comes first. Individuals who entered seventh grade before July 1, 2015 are not required to receive the first dose. The booster dose does not apply to individuals who entered the 12th grade before August 1, 2020. If the first dose is administered on or after the 16th birthday, a booster dose is not required. Individuals born before January 1, 2003 shall not be required to receive meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

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Influenza The Disease Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

The Vaccine There are two types of vaccines:

1. The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. 2. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

Who Should get Vaccinated? Everyone over 6 months of age should receive a flu vaccine.

North Carolina Requirements Flu vaccination is not required in North Carolina.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) The Disease Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that is usually spread through sexual contact. Most of the time HPV has no symptoms so people do not know they have it. There are more than 150 related viruses in the group HPV, and approximately 40 types of genital HPV. Some types can cause cervical cancer in women and can also cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women. Other types can cause genital warts in both males and females.

The Vaccine The HPV vaccine works by preventing the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. It is given in a two-dose, or three-dose schedule depending on age.

Who Should get Vaccinated? Girls and women: Three vaccines (Cervarix, Gardasil and Gardasil 9) are available to protect females against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. Two of these vaccines (Gardasil and Gardasil 9) also protect against most genital warts. Both vaccines are recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls, and for females 13 through 26 years of age, who did not get any or all of the shots when they were younger. These vaccines can also be given to girls as young as 9 years of age. It is recommended that females get the same vaccine brand for all three doses, whenever possible. Boys and men: Two available vaccines (Gardasil and Gardasil 9) are available to protect males against most genital warts. These vaccines are available for boys and men, 9 through 26 years of age.

North Carolina Requirements HPV vaccination is not required in North Carolina.

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