A previously healthy 18-year-old college freshman presented at an emergency department with acute onset of fever and headache. He was listless, febrile, and hypotensive. Petechiae were noted over his thorax. Meningococcemia was suspected (and subsequently confirmed by blood cultures positive for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C). Despite prompt administration of antibiotics and other support, the patient's illness was fulminant and he died 12 hours after the onset of symptoms. Should he have previously received meningococcal vaccine, and what measures should be taken to protect his close contacts and his community?