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Utah parents can add one more item to their children's back-to-school checklists.

Following a health department policy change in December, seventh-grade students now are required to get a meningitis vaccination, according to Amy Johnson, a provider relations specialist with the Utah Department of Health.

"It's one that has always been needed," she said. "The [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] recommends they get it at 11 or 12."

So far this year, Utah has logged 10 cases of meningitis-related diseases, according to the most recent health department communicable disease report.

Meningitis is typically caused by an infection, which results in inflammation of membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is highly contagious — particularly in schools and dorms. Symptoms include high fever, headache and neck pain.

In January 2014, a 12-year-old Logan girl died after contracting the disease. And between 2009 and 2013, six Utahns died from various forms of meningitis.

"It's a serious disease and it can be fatal in a short period of time," said A.J. Walkowski, president of the Utah School Nurse Association.

In Utah, children are required to be vaccinated before attending school, but families have the option of claiming an exemption for religious, medical or personal reasons.

A recent measles outbreak at California's Disneyland theme park was attributed to low vaccination rates in that state. The outbreak was carried to Utah County, resulting in the voluntary quarantine of 117 Utahns and $115,000 in containment costs.

Walkowski pointed to the Disneyland outbreak as an example of why immunizations should not be taken lightly.

"We encourage all parents to have their kids immunized," Walkowski said. "We've gotten rid of some horrible diseases through this, and we're trying to keep them away."

The meningitis shot can be pricey. The Salt Lake County Health Department offers the vaccine for $125 at its clinics, according to immunization coordinator Sharon Moon.

Moon said the shot is covered by most insurance providers and if not, a $14.50 meningitis immunization is available to low-income families who qualify for the state's Vaccines for Children program.

Walkowski said it is in the best interests of students and their families to complete vaccinations before the school year begins.

"It's much easier for the schools if [students] come ready in advance, rather than try to deal with it during the school year," Walkowski said.

Besides the meningitis shot requirement, state health department managers also changed the vaccination list to include a second varicella, or chicken pox, immunization for kindergarten students, Johnson said.

The Utah Department of Health is working with schools to alert parents. And Johnson said she was not aware of any backlash as a result of the changes.

"We have communicated with the schools directly, with the nurses and with secretaries, to give out information," she said.

According to the CDC, 12 states currently require middle school students to be vaccinated against meningitis.