schools
Meningitis vaccine required for Texas college students, pharmacist warns of deadly risk
By Karin McCay at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· July 2, 2026
· 2 min read
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - With high school graduates preparing to leave for college in the coming weeks, a Lubbock pharmacist is urging families to check vaccination records before move-in day — specifically for the meningitis vaccine required by the state.Crockett Tidwell, a pharmacist at United P...
Key takeaway “It’s 10% to 15% of people that contract it will die from it,” Tidwell said.
Why this matters in The Odessa
As students in Odessa prepare to head off to college, the requirement for a meningitis vaccine takes on particular significance in our community. With many local students attending colleges and universities within Texas, the state's mandate for the vaccine is a crucial safeguard against the spread of this deadly disease. The risk of meningitis outbreaks in college dormitories is a concern that hits close to home, given the number of students from Odessa who will be living in these settings. Fortunately, the vaccine is widely available and often free, with most insurance plans covering it and the health department providing access for uninsured students. As families review vaccination records and prepare for the upcoming semester, it's essential to prioritize this critical step in protecting the health and well-being of our young people as they pursue higher education.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - With high school graduates preparing to leave for college in the coming weeks, a Lubbock pharmacist is urging families to check vaccination records before move-in day — specifically for the meningitis vaccine required by the state.Crockett Tidwell, a pharmacist at United P...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Karin McCay at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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