Admissions

Source: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/admitted-students/meningitis-vaccination-requirement Parent: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/admitted-students

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement

\ Texas Senate Bill 1107 (now TEC 51.9192) requires all students 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 A&M is partnering with Med+Proctor for the submission of bacterial meningitis vaccination records. \ \ Once confirmed, please register with Med+Proctor to submit your meningitis records. By using this service, you’ll benefit from a specially negotiated Aggie rate of only $7.50, ensuring the fastest possible processing and priority hold removal so you can register for classes without delay.\ \ This fee is charged by the vendor and cannot be deferred or waived.\ \ You are exempt from the vaccination requirements if any of the following apply:

• You will be age 22 or older on the first day of the semester you are exempt.
• You are a graduate student and intend to enroll in Distance Education courses ONLY.  Submit the petition for a waiver available here - Petition to Waive Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement for Graduate Distance Education Enrollment ONLY.
• You cannot take the vaccine because it would be injurious to your health and well-being. Provide 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.
• You decline the vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. PLEASE NOTE: Before you will be allowed to register for classes, you must complete and submit an original Affidavit for Exemption From School Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience from the Texas Department of State Health Services. You may download and print the blank Affidavit Exemption Form or request a paper copy be sent to you in the mail.
• Instructions for completing the Affidavit can be found here.
• Texas A&M must receive the completed document within 90 days of being notarized:
  • By upload: to Med+Proctor or AIS
  • By mail: Texas A&M University, Admissions Processing, P.O. Box 30014, College Station, TX 77842-3014
  • Hand Delivery: General Services Complex, Admissions Processing, 750 Agronomy Rd., Suite 1601
• Texas A&M University neither encourages nor discourages students from electing to decline immunization against meningitis. See Important Information about Bacterial Meningitis below.

Important Considerations

• You should not attempt to register with Med+Proctor as a Texas A&M student before you’re admitted.
• Freshmen and transfer students are encouraged to provide documentation to Med+Proctor prior to their New Student Conference.
• The bacterial meningitis vaccination is available at the Texas A&M University Health Services.
• Meningitis documents must be in English. If a meningitis document is received in another language, then the document needs to be translated. A seal or stamp must be on the translated document in order to be considered an official record.
• International students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination BEFORE entering the United States.
• 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.

Important Information about Bacterial Meningitis

\ This information is being provided to all new college students in the state of Texas. Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast, so take utmost caution. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that cause meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among college students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.\ \ \

What are the symptoms?

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Rash or purple patches on skin
• Vomiting
• Light sensitivity
• Stiff neck
• Confusion and sleepiness
• Nausea
• Lethargy
• Seizures

\ There may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.

How is Bacterial Meningitis diagnosed?

• Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.

How is the disease transmitted?

The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions.

How do you increase your risk of getting Bacterial Meningitis?

• Exposure to saliva by sharing cigarettes, water bottles, eating utensils, food, kissing, etc.
• Living in close conditions (such as sharing a room/suite in a dorm or group home)

What are the possible consequences of the disease?

• Death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead)
• Permanent brain damage
• Kidney failure
• Learning disability
• Hearing loss, blindness
• Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) that requires amputation
• Gangrene
• Coma
• Convulsions

Can the disease be treated?

• Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives and chances of recovery are increased. However, permanent disability or death can still occur.
• Vaccinations are available and should be considered for:
• Those living in close quarters
• College students 25 years old or younger
• Vaccinations are effective against four of the five most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. (but do not protect against all types of meningitis).
• Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years.
• The cost of the vaccine varies, so check with your health care provider.
• Vaccination is very safe — most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up to two days.
• Vaccination is available at Student Health Services, A.P. Beutel Health Center, for $135.00.

How can I find out more information?

• Contact your own health care provider.
• Contact the University Health Services at 845-1518.
• Contact your local or regional Texas Department of Health office at 713-767-3000.

Meningitis Vaccination Requirement

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