Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement
During the 2011 regular Texas legislative session, Texas Senate Bill 1107 (SB 1107) was passed and signed into law by Texas State Governor Rick Perry. Effective January 1, 2012, SB 1107 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 10 days before the first day of classes.
Therefore, if you are under the age of 30 and are:
1) a returning student, who did NOT attend classes at SHSU the preceding semester
2) an entering freshman
3) a transfer student
OR 4) an entering graduate or post-baccalaureate student
You must submit evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis. Students that are taking online only courses must submit the waiver of evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis form listed below.
If you meet the criteria listed above, please submit one of the following forms:
1. Evidence of Vaccination
Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received at least 10 days prior to living on campus or attending classes, whichever is sooner. Evidence of Vaccination must be submitted in the following format:
2. Waiver of Evidence of Vaccination for Online and Distance Education Students Only
ALL students that are taking online only courses must submit a complete Waiver of Evidence of Vaccination Against Bacterial Meningitis Form. By submitting this form, students that are registered in strictly online classes attest that they will not attend any class or event in person on an SHSU campus or center for the duration of their current semester enrollment, including but not limited to accessing library, dining, bookstore, or lab facilities. Certification of online and distance education only students must be renewed each semester, prior to registering for class. Before an online or distance education student attends any class or event in person on an SHSU campus or center, he/she must submit proof of a current meningitis vaccination administered at least 10 days prior to arriving on the SHSU campus or center. If this documentation is not received prior to the first day of class, classes will be dropped.
3. Evidence to Decline Vaccination For Medical or Religious Purposes
Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in the following format:
- An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. Two options are available for exemption from immunizations for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience.
- An affidavit that must be printed, signed, and notarized can be accessed here - Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. This fully executed form must be filed with the Student Health Center by the University's deadline.
--OR--
- A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services can be requested here – Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Please allow several weeks for delivery.
- To claim an exclusion for medical reasons, the student must present a statement signed by a physician (M.D. or D.O.), duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States who has examined the student, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.
If a student requests this form without sufficient time for delivery, the student may be blocked from registration or subject to courses being dropped.
Important Considerations
- Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination prior to moving to the Huntsville area or entering the United States.
- 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.
How to Submit Evidence of Vaccination or an Affidavit to Decline
Documents should be emailed, faxed, or mailed to the Student Health Center.
Email: shc@shsu.edu
Fax: 936-294-2304
Mail: Vaccination Processing
Student Health Center
Campus Box 2358
Huntsville, TX 77341-2358
Due to the high volume of documents collected, your form is not guaranteed to be processed on the same day it is received. The Student Health Center strongly encourages students to submit their forms within a reasonable amount of time. At non-peak times, it can take on average 2-3 days to process the documentation. At peak times, it can take on average 4-5 days to process the documentation. The Student Health Center is not responsible for forms that are lost in transit or forms that are not successfully received via fax.
Businesses Offering the Vaccine
The SHSU Student Health Center strongly encourages students to obtain the vaccine at their primary care physician's office. If you have insurance, most vaccines will require only a co-pay.
SHSU Student Health Center
1528 Avenue J
Huntsville, TX 77341
936-294-1805 - Call first for availability
$110.00 - Do not accept insurance
The cost of the vaccine will be placed onto the student's account within 24 hours and the student will have 14 days to pay.
Walgreens
1570 11th St
Huntsville, TX 77340
936-291-6764
No appointment necessary
$133.99 - Accepts some insurance
Kroger
111 Interstate 45 S
Huntsville, TX 77340
936-291-9598
No appointment necessary but suggested to come in before 4 p.m.
$115
