Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement

During the last Texas legislative session, Texas Senate Bill 1107 (now TEC 51.9192) was passed and signed into law by Texas State Governor Rick Perry. Effective January 1, 2012, TEC 51.9192 requires all students (under age 30) entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester.

• Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.9192 (entire text)
• Important Information about Bacterial Meningitis

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Bryan/College Station area.

Evidence of Vaccination

Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received during the five year period prior to and no later than 10 days prior to the first day of the semester.

Evidence of vaccination must be submitted in one of the following four formats:

1. A complete Evidence of Vaccination against Bacterial Meningitis Form. Use this form if you plan to obtain your vaccination somewhere other than your personal physician's office.
2. 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).
3. An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
4. An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

Evidence to Decline Vaccination

Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in one of the following formats:

1. 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.
2. An affidavit that is notarized and signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.
   • For students living in on-campus housing - use Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Please allow several weeks for delivery.
   • For students not living in on-campus housing – use Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
   • Students who intend to enroll in Distance Education courses ONLY must submit the petition for a waiver available here - Petition to Waive Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement for Distance Education Enrollment ONLY.

Important Considerations

• You are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Bryan/College Station area
• You will not be allowed to register for classes until you provide proof of vaccination. For freshmen and transfer students, registration is during your New Student Conference (NSC); therefore, you should provide the documentation prior to attending your NSC.
• The bacterial meningitis vaccination must be administered by a Health Practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization.
• Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster
• The bacterial meningitis vaccination is available at the Texas A&M University Student Health Center and most pharmacies in the Bryan/College Station area.
• The cost of the bacterial meningitis vaccination may be cheaper in your home country or through your current physician.
• You must receive the bacterial meningitis vaccination at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester. The vaccination must be no more than five years old from the date you first enroll.

How to Submit Evidence of Vaccination or an Affidavit to Decline Vaccination

All documents should be mailed, faxed, emailed or hand-delivered to the Office of Admissions. If you fax the documents, please use the Office of Admissions Fax Cover Sheet.

Mail: Texas A&M University, Admissions Processing, P.O. Box 30014, College Station, TX 77843-3014
Phone: (979)845-1060

Fax: (979)458-1808, Fax Cover Sheet

E-mail: admissions@tamu.edu

Hand Delivery: General Services Complex, Admissions Processing, 750 Agronomy Rd., Suite 1601.

To determine if your submitted documentation has satisfied the evidence of vaccination requirement for bacterial meningitis, go to the Applicant Information System website, applicant.tamu.eduapplicant.tamu.edu, and ensure that a check mark is present on the bacterial meningitis checklist item found under the ‘Additional credentials required prior to Enrollment/Registration’ section.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at (979) 845-1060 or admissions@tamu.edu