ST. LOUIS (AP) - The Missouri Association of School Nurses is urging parents to get their children vaccinated against meningitis.
The association is among several health groups across the country urging meningococcal vaccination. A new report says only about half of Missouri's teens are vaccinated against the disease.
Meningitis is rare, but often deadly. It can be spread through common school activities such as sharing water bottles and drinking glasses. Ten percent of those who contract it die, sometimes within a day.
Public health officials recommend vaccination starting at age 11 or 12.