Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirements

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Pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 1107, which was passed and signed into law by Texas State Governor Rick Perry, beginning January 1, 2012, all entering (new) students who have been admitted to an institution of higher education, must show evidence of receipt of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination dose or booster during the five-year period preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the first semester in which the student initially enrolls at an institution, or following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester at the same or another institution. Transfer students are considered entering students. This information shall be maintained in accordance with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Regulations and with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Exceptions to the Requirement

A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student meets any of the following criteria:

• The student is 22 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester (effective 1/1/2014); or
• The student is enrolled only in online or other distance education courses; or
• The student is incarcerated in a Texas prison.

Evidence Requirements

All proof must be provided prior to orientation and/or registration.

1. Evidence the student has received the vaccination (student must have received vaccination at least 10 days prior to the semester he or she is enrolled) must be submitted in one of the following three formats

   • A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered). Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form
   • OR An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
   • OR An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
   • OR, if using a pharmacy, a completed immunization certificate bearing the signature of the pharmacist (immunization certificate located within Med+Proctor).

2. Evidence the student is declining the vaccination must be submitted in one of the following two formats:

   • An affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student.
   • OR An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form ("Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience") from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used. Please allow several weeks for delivery.

How to Submit Proof of Vaccination

Texas A&M University-Central Texas uses Med+Proctor to collect and verify immunization records. All evidence of immunization must be submitted through Med+Proctor. There is no charge for this service. For students who wish to have continuous access to uploaded immunization records, Med+Proctor offers the option to purchase M+P Pro, a membership that provides lifetime access for a one-time fee of $10.00.

If you have not already received the meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine, it is important that you contact your primary healthcare provider or your local public health clinic to determine availability of the vaccination and the need for the immunization against bacterial meningitis to prevent the disease. Most large healthcare offices offer the vaccine and the cost will depend on your insurance coverage. Most local health departments will offer the vaccine at a low cost. These offices often have limited vaccination times so be sure to call ahead. Texas A&M University-Central Texas is not responsible for the cost of the vaccination or booster.