A breakthrough vaccine could keep a lot of people from getting sick with an illness that can sometimes claim a life.

Doctors are excited about a new meningitis vaccine.
It's longer lasting and provide a better defense against a disease that can mask itself as a cold or flu, before turning dangerous, sometimes deadly.

Right now there are two groups that are being targeted for the new vaccine.

"First, the 11 and 12 year old age," says Dr. David Schearer, of Dean Family Practice. "And as part of a routine preventive visit with your doctor around that age we would incorporate routinely the meningitis vaccine. The second group is college freshman, people who are especially going to be living in dorms and exposed to a large group of people their own age."

Meningitis prevention includes washing your hands, and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze. But Dr. Shearer says people can still develop meningitis even when you're following all those precautions.