Precautions parents should take before sending their kids off to college

CLEVELAND - Before you pack up the car and take your teenager off to college, you may want to check their immunization records.

Dr. Ellen Rome is a pediatrician at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. She says there are several vaccinations parents should consider for their college-bound kids.

"The meningitis shot we're giving when they're youngsters now, but they ought to get a booster dose before they head off to college because that will raise the immunity from about 85 to 99 percent,” said Dr. Rome.

Dr. Rome says meningitis is very contagious and can spread quickly in close-quarters, like a college dorm. She also suggests the tetanus booster, which is known as "T-Dap." It covers Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis, or Whooping Cough.

Dr. Rome adds, all college-aged kids should get the HPV vaccine.

"HPV vaccines if they have not received the series of three at 11 or 12, that's girls and guys, then they ought to do the catch-up shots and get the three, starting with their pre-college physical. They can get the second one two months later, either at college or when they come home. And the third one four months after that," said Dr. Rome.

Dr. Rome says the Chickenpox booster is another good one to get before heading off to college, too.