(Newark, NJ, March 14, 2019) – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (BCBSNJ) today responded to an outbreak of Meningitis B disease at Rutgers University’s New Brunswick campus by announcing no cost vaccinations for members who are students and employees at the campus.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and Rutgers University, with support from the CDC, strongly recommend serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB) for certain at-risk individuals at the New Brunswick location, such as undergraduate and graduate students, employees and medical staff. Horizon BCBSNJ will waive any claims, benefit limitations or medical policy restrictions for Meningitis B vaccine boosters that at-risk individuals with Horizon BCBSNJ coverage receive at the Rutgers University Student Health Centers, on-campus clinics, local healthcare providers and pharmacies.

“Meningitis B is a rare but dangerous disease that if not treated promptly, could have very serious health consequences,” said Dr. Thomas Graf, Horizon BCBSNJ Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “Horizon shares the urgency expressed by Rutgers University, the New Jersey departments of Health and Banking and Insurance and the medical community to respond swiftly to this outbreak and get our members properly vaccinated and protected from Meningitis B.”