From left, Julie McManus, Lufkin High School lead counselor; Lin Lentz of the Kiwanis Club of Lufkin, and Dr. Michael Simon, Angelina College president.
Angelina College is partnering with the Kiwanis Club of Lufkin to provide meningitis vaccinations to seniors at Lufkin High School.
As of Oct. 1, 2013, Texas state law requires that all new and re-entry college students under the age of 22 must provide evidence of a bacterial meningitis vaccination or booster within the past five years and at least ten days prior to the start of school.
The Kiwanis Club of Lufkin is funding an initiative to ensure that area high school students who are likely to attend Angelina College are able to receive the required meningitis vaccine. For some students, the cost of this vaccine has been a barrier to them attending college. The Lufkin Kiwanis Club, working with Angelina College created a funding initiative to remove this obstacle.
Dr. Michael Simon, Angelina College president understands that vaccination costs sometimes make the difference in whether or not students attend college. “If students haven’t received their meningitis vaccine before the age of 19, the cost rises significantly, and may be cost-prohibitive for some. We truly appreciate the Kiwanis Club making it possible for Lufkin High School students to get their vaccinations and be prepared to enroll at Angelina College,” Simon said.
For more information about this partnership, contact Dana Smithhart at dsmithhart@angelina.edu.
Kylie Hale, LHS senior, receives her meningitis shot. Photo by: Ja’Lynn Polk, Lufkin High School Fang Yearbook