The meningitis drill event, which involves some 350 volunteers and emergency response partners includes a presentation by former Springfield resident and Paralympic Game gold medalist Nicholas Springer who contracted meningococcal meningitis at summer camp. He spent two months in a coma and became a quadruple amputee.

The exercise scenario involves an outbreak of meningitis B at five campuses, Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College and Smith College, which requires vaccinating students. One of the goals of the event, is to test communication and collaboration between the colleges and host communities.

“Prevention becomes the primary goal,” said Carvalho, a UMass College of Nursing faculty member, who participates regularly in the annual mass vaccination drill along with her junior and senior year nursing students.

Read the full story here