People in close contact with a meningitis-infected person should get both a meningitis immunization and a Cipro antibiotic treatment, according to Dr. Brobson Lutz, former New Orleans director of health.

Lutz, who is also an infectious disease physician, advised people in close contact with a meningitis-infected person to take the Cipro antibiotic even if they have had the vaccine. The importance of utilizing both medicines, he said, is that the vaccine for meningococcal meningitis prevents around 80 percent of circulating strains of meningococcal. The newest vaccine type, meningococcal conjugate vaccine (or MCV4), is thought to give better, longer-lasting protection, according to documents from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of the two most common types of bacterial meningitis that occur in college-age students, meningococcal spreads through close contact, Lutz said. Pnuemococcal usually occurs in isolated incidents, such as bacterial infection after a surgery.

In cases of casual classroom interaction, Lutz said students are not necessarily at risk, unless they have been in close proximity, such as riding in a car for a class field trip.

As of Wednesday at 4 p.m., Touro Hospital’s pharmacy said the meningitis vaccine was in short supply because hospitals are allocated 20 vaccines per month. Ochsner’s pharmacy said it also had a limited supply, but it was scheduled to receive 100 doses of the meningitis vaccine Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, Loyola’s Health Clinic had 350 doses on hand of Cipro antibiotics, according to Vicki McNeil, associate vice president of student affairs. McNeil said the clinic would receive an additional 300 doses Thursday.

The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, said he would assure that the university would look into acquiring meningitis vaccines.

“If we need the vaccines, we can get them,” Wildes said.

In the past few years, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that college students, especially those living in dorms, receive meningitis immunization in their freshman year. Wildes said he encouraged students to be safe, healthy and responsible.

“If students are not feeling well, be sure to see someone [doctor],” Wildes said.

Naomi King can be reached at [email protected] Brown can be reached at [email protected].