Princeton University To Give Students Meningitis B Vaccine

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Princeton University officials have decided to give students a meningitis vaccine that hasn't been approved in the U.S. in order to stop the spread of the disease.

The decision came Monday and the first doses are to be available next month.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved importing the vaccine, Bexsero, for possible use on Princeton's campus in New Jersey. The vaccine is approved in Europe and Australia. It's the only vaccine for use against the type B meningococcal bacteria.

Last week, health officials confirmed the Ivy League school's seventh case of meningitis since March. No one has died.

Meningitis can be spread through kissing, coughing or lengthy contact.

The school tells students to wash their hands, cover their mouths when coughing and not share items such as drinking glasses and utensils.