Final answer:
The meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended to prevent the spread of meningitis among college students living in communal settings, like dorms, where the risk of outbreak is higher. Vaccination can also be a college requirement and offers the best protection against potential severe outcomes of infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended before attending college primarily to prevent the spread of meningitis among college students. College students living in dorms or communal housing are at an increased risk for contracting epidemic meningitis, which can result in serious complications or even death despite rapid diagnosis and aggressive antibiotic treatment. The meningococcal conjugate vaccine provides protection against multiple serotypes of N. meningitidis, the bacteria responsible for meningococcal meningitis, thus conferring individual and herd immunity that helps in preventing campus outbreaks.
In addition, vaccination may also be a requirement at some colleges and universities to meet their health and safety standards. Vaccination is also a proactive measure, as meningococcal infections can be severe and can lead to long-lasting health impacts, and sometimes even with antibiotic treatment, results can be negative. Therefore, prophylactic vaccination is considered the best form of protection, and coverage is often provided by insurance companies for students living in college dorms.