Meningitis Vaccine Requirement
Texas Meningitis Vaccination Requirement
Texas State law (Texas Education Code Sec. 51.9192) requires all students under the age of 22 entering an institution of higher education (private or public) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination. Documentation must be submitted 10 days before first day of class.
Texas Immunization RequirementsSubmit Proof of Vaccination
OLLU has partnered with Med+Proctor for the collection of meningitis vaccination records. To submit your record through Med+Proctor follow these steps:
Visit medproctor.com and select "Register" in the top right corner to start a new account.
- Enter your OLLU email address (you must use your OLLU-issued email address).
- Enter your OLLU password.
- Enter your Date of Birth.
- For “Requirement Group” select “General Population.”
- For “Term” select the term when you will begin classes at OLLU. If you are a current OLLU student, select the current term.
- Enter your OLLU student ID number
- For “Campus Resident” select “Yes” if you plan to live on campus or “No” if you will not live on campus.
- Click “Continue” and review the End User License Agreement
- To continue you must type your name to indicate agreement with the End User License Agreement.
Please Note: When going through the steps to upload your document, you will see several prompts asking you to “Submit your immunization with MP Pro for $10.” To use the free service, click on the text that says, “No, thank you. Submit your documentation without MP Pro.”
If you have your own immunization document to upload, select the document type, then click “Choose files” to upload your immunization form and click “Continue”.
- Documents from childhood, records from schools previously attended, clinical/hospital records, or International Certificates of Vaccinations are all acceptable immunization records. All records must be in English or be accompanied by a certified translation.
If you do not have your own immunization document, you may download the appropriate form from Med+Proctor to then go obtain the info.
- Your physician or health care provider will need to indicate the month, day, and year of each vaccination that you have received and must sign the form. Scan or take a photo of the completed form and submit through the navigation path above.
Once your documents have been uploaded, you will receive a message that says, “Your record is being reviewed. Processing time is 48 hours.”
You will receive an email confirmation from Med+Proctor once your document has been reviewed. This email will let you know whether your document has been approved or if you need to provide additional/different documentation.
If approved, Med+Protor will submit the approval to OLLU within two business days and it will be applied to your student record.
For more information on Meningococcal Disease, visit the National Meningitis Association website.
Approved Meningococcal Vaccines
The meningitis college entry requirement of the Texas Administrative Code states that students must receive a "bacterial meningitis vaccination: meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) or meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4). Both vaccines, MenACWY and MPSV4, protect against the same four strains of bacterial meningitis (A, C, W and Y). You can get the vaccine at a pharmacy such as H-E-B, Walgreen's and CVS, or through your doctor's office or a medical clinic.
Persons who received a meningococcal vaccination more than five years prior to their first day of class as a new student at OLLU must receive a booster dose. Studies have shown that protection from the vaccines diminishes significantly after five years.
Students from other countries who can’t get the required bacterial meningitis vaccination should confirm with their doctor that their vaccine is equivalent and protects against the A, C, Y and W-135 strains of the disease. Otherwise, the student will be required to get another vaccination.
NOTE: Although sometimes recommended, the new Meningococcal Group B (MenB) vaccines (Trumenba and Bexsero), which only protect against one strain (B), do NOT meet the requirement. Incoming students should consult a physician or medical practitioner to determine the optimum vaccination protocol for their individual needs. It is important to note that vaccinations for MenACWY and MenB are not interchangeable. MenB vaccines do not provide protection for MenACWY strains, and MenACWY vaccines do not provide protection for MenB strains.
Vaccination Information
The vaccine is available at area pharmacies such as H-E-B, Walgreen's and CVS, or through a doctor's office or medical clinic.
OLLU has partnered with Med+Proctor for the collection of meningitis vaccination records. To submit your record through Med+Proctor follow the steps listed under "Submit Proof of Vaccination" near the top of this page.
If you have a notarized affidavit of exemption or doctor’s note of exemption, you also will submit this record through Med+Proctor following the same steps.
Approved quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines protect against four of the strains of meningococci that cause disease (A, C, Y and W-135). The vaccines are very effective and safe, but do not cover 100% of the strains that can cause meningococcal disease.*
Approved U.S. brand name vaccines for teenagers and young adults:
- Menactra
- MenQuadfi
- Menveo
Persons who received a meningococcal vaccination more than five years prior to their first day of class as a new student at OLLU must receive a booster dose of either Menactra or Menveo. Studies have shown that protection from the vaccines diminishes significantly after five years.
Students from other countries who can’t get Menactra or Menveo should confirm with their doctor that their vaccine is equivalent and protects against the A, C, Y and W-135 strains of the disease. Otherwise, the student will be required to get another vaccination with either Menactra or Menveo.
*Although recommended, the new Meningococcal Group B (MenB) vaccines (Trumenba and Bexsero), which only protect against one strain (B), do NOT meet the requirement of a quadrivalent vaccine given within 5 years.
- Students 22 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester
- Students enrolled only in online or other distance education courses
- Students enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours or continuing education corporate training
- Students 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
- Students incarcerated in a Texas prison
- Students who are not enrolled in an institution of higher education
- Students submitting an affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed and in good standing to practice medicine in the United States, stating that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student
- Students who submit an affidavit/form signed by the student (or the parent/legal guardian/managing conservator, if applicable) stating the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief
- For students obtaining exemptions from vaccination, these exemptions do not apply
during a disaster or public health emergency, terrorist attack, hostile military or
paramilitary action, or extraordinary law enforcement emergency declared by an appropriate
official or authority from Texas DSHS; and in effect for the location of the institution
the student attends
Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §97.62 covers the conditions under which students can request an exemption from getting immunizations at their school or college. There are three conditions for exemption:
- If a health care provider determines that it is not safe for them to get a certain
vaccine
Only a doctor (MD/DO) can write a note explaining why someone can't get vaccinated. Schools and childcare centers must accept it. The signed note is only valid for one year unless your doctor states that you have a life-long condition. - If they are in the United States military
- If they have a religious or personal belief that goes against getting immunized
To get an exemption from vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, the child's parent, legal guardian, or a student 18 years or older must complete several steps. A completed, signed, and notarized affidavit in a form must be provided by the department to the school or childcare facility. The affidavit should state that the child's parent, legal guardian, or a student 18 years or older is refusing vaccinations because of their conscience, including religious beliefs.
Submitting an Exemption for Reasons of Conscience
Give the form to the school or childcare center within 90 days after it's signed and stamped by a notary. The paper is good for two years after the notary date. A child or student not immunized because of their conscience or religion might not be allowed to go to school if there is an official emergency or epidemic.
To get an exemption from vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, the child's parent, legal guardian, or a student 18 years or older must complete several steps. A completed, signed, and notarized affidavit in a form must be provided by the department to the school or childcare facility. The affidavit should state that the child's parent, legal guardian, or a student 18 years or older is refusing vaccinations because of their conscience, including religious beliefs.
Submitting an Exemption for Reasons of Conscience
Give the form to the school or childcare center within 90 days after it's signed and stamped by a notary. The paper is good for two years after the notary date. A child or student not immunized because of their conscience or religion might not be allowed to go to school if there is an official emergency or epidemic.
This affidavit is used to request exclusion from required school immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious belief. A parent or legal guardian may request this affidavit on behalf of their child or student using the forms and methods outlined below. The request must include the following information:
- Full name of child or student
- Child's or student's date of birth (month/day/year)
- Complete mailing address, including telephone number
- Number of requested affidavit forms (not to exceed five)
Requesting an Affidavit
Request an affidavit via the Immunization Section Affidavit Request website . Please use the Microsoft Edge web browser when submitting a vaccine exemption request online.
If requesting an Affidavit by Mail, send a written request for an affidavit through the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Mail to:
Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Section
Mail Code 1946
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
NOTE: Affidavits must be notarized. Do not modify in any way before submission to the school or childcare facility.
Requesting an Affidavit by Fax
Fax written requests for affidavits to 512-776-7544.
Requesting an Affidavit in Person
Request affidavits in person at:
Texas Department of State Health Services 1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756
NOTE: No requests will be filled at the time of hand delivery. All affidavit forms will be mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service.
For answers to the common questions about Med+Proctor’s platform, results message clarification, or technical questions, please visit the Med+Proctor support page Home | Med+Proctor Help Center
For general questions, please contact the Counseling and Wellness Services Office at counselingandwellness@ollusa.edu or 210-431-4053.