Section F: Student

 

Section FFA.1

Student
Student Welfare
Immunizations

Procedure

Bacterial Meningitis Procedures

All entering students under the age of 22 must provide evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis, or a booster dose, administered within the five (5) years preceding and at least ten (10) days prior to the first day of the initial term of enrollment, in accordance with Texas Education Code §51.9192 and applicable state regulations.

Exemptions may be granted in accordance with state law, including medical exemptions and affidavits of exemption for reasons of conscience.

Exemptions to the Vaccination 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 enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing education corporate training; or

  • the student is enrolled in a dual credit course which is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a higher education institution campus; or

  • Note: Students in Texas are required to receive an MCV4 vaccine on or after the student’s 11th birthday.

  • the student is on active duty with the armed forces of the United States; or

  • the student is incarcerated in a Texas prison.

A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student submits to the institution:

  • An affidavit or certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, stating that in the physician's opinion, the vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student; or

  • An affidavit signed by the student or parent stating that the student or parent declines the vaccination for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used, or

  • An Internet-based Texas Department of State Health Services exemption form claiming an exemption for reasons of conscience. Only students attending public junior colleges are eligible to submit this form.

For public junior college students only: the secure on-line exemption form is available at DSHS exemption form. According to DSHS rules, a copy of the form must be submitted to the designated school official at the institution the student will be attending.

Exemption Form Q&A

DSHS has certain requirements about the handling of the exemption form as described below.

  1. How long is the notarized DSHS affidavit exemption form valid?

    This document is valid for two (2) years after the signature date of the notary. For the initial filing, the form must be turned into the school within 90 days of notarization to be valid and no later than ten (10) days prior to the first day of the first semester in which the student enrolls in an institution. A new form is not necessary if the student is continuously enrolled at the same institution.

  2. Can the DSHS affidavit exemption forms be transferred from one university to another (as a part of a student’s record)?

    For students transferring between four-year institutions, it is possible to transfer the affidavit exemption form if it is still valid. However, due to the two-year validation period, it is not always possible to re-use an immunization exemption form at a second institution once it has been used at the first school.

    The Texas Health & Safety Code does not address the confidentiality of exemption forms/affidavits after they leave the DSHS office. Institutions of higher education will need to speak to their own legal counsels about any concerns about legal requirements specifically related to the transfer of student records between institutions.

  3.  Can the DSHS public junior college exemption form be transferred to another institution?

    The public junior college form is not transferrable as it is specific to the public junior college attended. Students will need to get a new exemption form in this instance.

  4. Can the DSHS exemption forms be photocopied?

    The DSHS affidavit is invalid if it is reproduced, but the public junior college form can be copied.

Meningococcal Serogroup B (MenB)

In accordance with Texas Administrative Code requirements, entering students must provide evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis. Acceptable vaccines include those that protect against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y.

Additional vaccines providing protection against meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) may be recommended for certain individuals but are not a substitute for the required vaccination.

Students are responsible for consulting a healthcare provider to determine appropriate immunization based on current medical guidance.

Institutional Responsibilities

The College shall provide information regarding bacterial meningitis to entering students and maintain documentation of student receipt of such information, in accordance with state law.

Statutory and Regulatory Authority

Statutory Authority

Regulatory Authority

Inquiries regarding bacterial meningitis vaccination requirements may be directed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or the Texas Department of State Health.

Approved: 2015
Updated: 2021, 2024, 2026
Reviewed: