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Bacterial Meningitis

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Bacterial Meningitis

New Requirement for Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination: Updated October 2013 

Beginning on January 1, 2012, all entering students are required to show evidence of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccine or a booster dose 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. An entering student includes a first-time student of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education and includes a transfer student, or a student who previously attended an institution of higher education before January 1, 2012, and who is enrolling in the same or another institution of higher education following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester.

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 causes meningitis can also infect the blood. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.

Exceptions to Bacterial Meningitis 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
  • 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 stating that the student declines the vaccination for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) must be used, or
  • Confirmation that the student has completed the Internet-based Department of State Health Services for to claim an exemption for reasons of conscience (for entering students at public junior colleges ONLY).

The DSHS exemption form may be ordered electronically; however it will be mailed to the address provided by the student. Please allow up to two weeks to receive the form. The form must be completed, notarized, and submitted to our online student medical records system.

DSHS has certain requirements about the expiration of the conscientious objection form, and photocopying the form, as designated in the question and answers below:

1. How long are the DSHS affidavit exemption forms valid?

These documents are valid for 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 being notarized or it is no longer valid. 

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

For students transferring colleges/universities, it is possible to transfer the affidavit exemption form as long as it is still valid. 

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 they have about legal requirements specifically related to the transfer of student records between institutions.

It should be noted that 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.

3. Can the new DSHS public junior college exemption forms be transferred?

The new public junior college forms are not transferable as they are specific to the public junior college.  Students will need to get new exemption forms in this instance.

4. Can the DSHS exemption forms be photocopied?

No forms can be reproduced whatsoever, it's a violation of law.

For more information please visit DSHS College Vaccine Requirements.

The university will accept any bacterial meningitis information from the student and will upload the information to Magnus Health for you. However, you can log into your Web for Students account to get the information verified.  Here are the instructions:

A link titled “Verify Meningitis Shot Requirement” will be listed at the bottom of the Main Menu page.  If you are not required to meet this requirement, the link will be missing or you will receive a message that states you do not have to meet this requirement.

Texas A&M University-Texarkana has chosen the services of Magnus Health SMR (Student Medical Record) to provide Web-based access of evidence that a student has taken their Bacterial Meningitis vaccination.  All new and former students that meet the new bill requirement are required to submit documentation through Magnus Health SMR, to ensure your course registration at A&M-Texarkana is not delayed. 

When you log in to your Magnus Health SMR account you will be able to download the forms that need to be completed to provide proof of the vaccination (or exemption).  If you have any additional questions please contact customer support from Magnus Health SMR, which is available to you by phone (877-461-6831) and email (service@magnushealthportal.com).

*Please note: If the vaccine is not verified at least 10 days prior to the first day of classes in the semester in which you are beginning at the university you will be dropped from all classes, a hold will be placed on your account and you will not be able to attend classes. You will be responsible to pay for any fees added to your account.