( CNN ) -- A vaccine not licensed for use in the United States will be offered to thousands of Princeton University students beginning Monday , after a string of meningitis B cases at the college this year . The vaccine is called Bexsero and is made by Novartis . It has been approved in Europe and Australia . With the blessing of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Princeton will make the vaccine available to all undergraduate students , graduate students living in dorms or the Graduate College and annexes , and other university community members with particular medical conditions . Meningococcal disease at UCSB . That adds up to about 5,000 undergraduates and 550 graduate students in dorms , university spokesman Martin Mbugua had told CNN previously . Additionally , around half a dozen people with conditions that fall under the recommendation would also be affected , although there may be more who have not yet disclosed their conditions , he said . These include conditions where the spleen is compromised , or certain other immune system disorders . The vaccine will not be provided to anyone else or given out anywhere else , the school said . Young adults and individuals with certain medical conditions have an increased risk of meningitis , especially when living in close proximity to one another , such as in dormitories . The first dose of the vaccine will be available this week ; a second dose in February . For maximum protection , individuals must receive two doses . Princeton will cover the cost of the vaccine . Meningitis is caused by inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord , known as the meninges . Infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes this inflammation , according to the CDC . In 2012 , there were 480 cases of bacterial meningitis in the United States , according to the CDC . Of those , 160 were group B. Michigan , feds to share info in meningitis probe . CNN 's Miriam Falco contributed to this report .
UCSB has reported around half a dozen cases of meningitis B since this week . The vaccine is called the Graduate College and annexes and is made by Meningitis .