If you have had unprotected sex or your birth control method fails, you still have a chance to prevent pregnancy.  Emergency contraception works primarily by delaying or inhibiting ovulation. According to the World Health Organization, Emergency contraception (EC) can prevent up to over 95% of pregnancies when taken correctly.

Emergency Contraceptive Types:

• A pill with Levonorgestrel: Brand names include Plan B, My Way, EContra, and others. These are available over the counter.  This must be taken within 72 hours from intercourse to be effective.
• A pill with Ulipristal: ella is the only brand and is available only by prescription.  This must be taken within 120 hours from intercourse to be effective.  
• An IUD: A copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception if placed within 5 days of intercourse.   This can be done at a Planned Parenthood or through a local community gynecological provider.

 Take this quiz to see which emergency contraceptive is best for you
Emergency Contraception at Health Services:

• We offer EContra with or without an appointment.  ella is available by prescription only, through walk-in appointments or scheduled appointments at 201-684-7536.
• Please note, the medication can only be dispensed to the person for whom it is prescribed.  
• Fee for Emergency Contraception: $6.
• Students are not billed in the instance of sexual assault. 
• Charges to Student Account:
  • The charge is billed to the student account and listed strictly as “Health Services- Clinic Fund”, as with all charges from Student Health Services.
  • Students can pay this off immediately at the Office of Student Accounts before the term bills are sent out. 
  • No one other than the student can find out what this fee was for unless a HIPPA form is signed.

Emergency Contraceptives at Other Locations:

• CVS Pharmacy, 45 Franklin Tpke., Mahwah, NJ 201-529-5930
• CVS Pharmacy, 259 N. Franklin Tpke., Ramsey, NJ 201-327-9430
• CVS Pharmacy, 5 Indian Rock, Suffern, NY 845-357-1500
• Oakland Drugs, 373 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, NJ 201-337-7300
• Walgreens Pharmacy, 409 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, NJ 201-337-2349

Here are some things to consider when choosing an emergency contraceptive pill:

• Effectiveness: ella is more effective than progestin-only emergency contraceptive (EContra, Plan B One-Step), particularly on the 5th day after sex.
• Your body weight: There is evidence that progestin-only emergency contraception ( EContra, Plan B One-Step) may be less likely to work for those with a body mass index of 26 or more. If you are overweight, you may want to consider using ella or a copper IUD .
• Timing since unprotected sex: Sperm can live in the body for 5 days after sex. Research shows that ella is effective up to 5 days after unprotected sex, while progestin-only emergency contraception (EContra, Plan B One-Step) may be effective only through the 4th day. If it has been 4 or 5 days since you had unprotected sex, try to make an extra effort to get a prescription for ella or a copper IUD.
• Your cycle: Although studies show that emergency contraception can work up to 120 hours after sex, what matters for each individual person is where you are in your menstrual cycle. ella works closer to the time of ovulation than progestin-only emergency contraception (although most likely neither will work if you have already ovulated). If you think you might be close to ovulation, or don’t know where you are in your cycle, ella may be the best choice. If you can’t get a prescription for ella in time, but you can get to the pharmacy, it’s still a good idea to get progestin-only emergency contraception over-the-counter and take it as soon as possible.
• The calendar: If it is a weekend or holiday, your best option may be to get Plan B One-Step from the pharmacy, as Health Services is not open or a health care provider’s office may not be open to provide you with a prescription for ella.
• Availability: Not all pharmacies carry emergency contraception. Call ahead to find out which brands your pharmacy has in stock. Some pharmacies still do not stock ella, so you may find it easier to get progestin-only emergency contraception.

If you have had unprotected sex, take action right away and find out what your options are. If you are sexually active, it’s always a good idea to have emergency contraception available in case you need it. You can ask your health care provider for a prescription to keep on hand until you need it, or purchase emergency contraception at the pharmacy to keep at home.

New NJ Meningitis Law

The NJ Meningitis Law requires that specific groups of students must receive the meningitis vaccine before they can move into campus housing.

This Law applies to you if you will reside in campus housing OR you are a commuter student age 18 or younger:

• new freshman
• new readmit
• new transfer
• continuing student who is returning to campus housing

Your Responsibility:

• Arrange with your healthcare provider to receive the meningitis vaccine.*
• Submit proof of vaccination.
• Spring Deadline: Proof of vaccination must be received by January 2
• Fall Deadline: Proof of vaccination must be received by July 31 
• Send proof of vaccine to: immunize@ramapo.edu

Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. This bacteria is the major cause of bacterial meningitis among all age groups and it is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States.
Meningococcal meningitis strikes about 2,800 Americans each year leading to death in approximately 10-15% of cases or 300 deaths annually, despite the availability of effective antibiotics.

The most common symptoms of meningococcal disease include high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and rashes to the body. In some cases the bacteria causes an inflammation to the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, a condition called meningococcal meningitis or bacterial meningitis. In some cases the bacteria invades only the bloodstream causing a condition called meningococcemia. If not treated or not treated promptly, this condition progresses rapidly, often within hours of symptom onset and results in death.

The occurrence of meningococcal disease in the United States usually peaks in the late winter and early spring. The organism is spread from person-to-person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions such as by coughing and kissing.

Although meningococcal disease can affect people at any age, certain groups are at increased risk. Children under age 4 years old have the greatest risk. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in the rate of occurrence of meningococcal disease in the 15-24 year age group, including college-aged students. Research suggests that the lifestyle behaviors of college students increase their risk. These behaviors include active or passive smoking, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption.

Dormitory-style living may also contribute as crowded environments facilitate the spread of the infection. It is estimated that 125-175 cases of meningococcal disease occur annually on college campuses and 15-20 students dies each year as a result.
It is recommended that college students consider vaccination with Meningitis A/C/Y/W vaccine to reduce their risk for potentially fatal meningococcal disease.
It is the recommendation of the American College Health Association and the Center for Disease Control that the following should be vaccinated pre-exposure:

• Entering college students who elect to decrease their risk for meningococcal disease.
• Students 30 years or age or under who request vaccination in order to decrease the risk for disease and are not pregnant. The highest priority should be for students 18-24 years of age as students older that 25 years of age have a much lower risk of disease.
• Students with medical conditions that compromise immunity (e.g., HIV, absent spleen, antibody deficiency, chemotherapy.)
• Students traveling to areas of the world with endemic meningococcal disease.

The vaccine has been shown to provide protection against the most common strains of the disease. The vaccine is very safe and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent, consisting primarily of redness and pain at the site of injection, which lasts up to two (2) days. The duration of the meningococcal vaccine’s efficacy is approximately 3-5 years so a booster is recommended.

If you have further questions regarding this disease or if you are unsure if you meet the criteria to receive this vaccination, please contact your primary care provider. The staff of Health Services is also available to answer any questions you may have. Our phone number is (201) 684-7536.

On Campus Resources

• Public Safety (201) 684-6666
• Counseling Services (201) 684-7522
• Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Programs (201) 684-7522
• Center for Student Success (201) 684-7441
• Dean of Students (201) 684-7457
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance (201) 684-6693
• Title IX (201) 684-7220