Immunization Requirements
Bacterial Meningitis
- Affidavit forms for exceptions to vaccination for reasons of conscience, such as religious or philosophical belief can only be issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
- The exception form from DSHS must be signed and notarized no more than 90 days prior to the first day of classes to be valid.
All new students, including transfer students, must show evidence of receipt of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination (meningococcal meningitis vaccine) dose or booster in the last five years and at least ten days prior to the first day of the semester in which the student initially enrolls. This law also applies to any student returning to school after a break in enrollment for a fall or spring semester.
Students are not required to submit evidence of vaccination if they are twenty-two years of age or older or enrolled for online courses only. Students who plan to enroll exclusively in online courses should complete the Meningitis Online Class Petition and submit it to the UNT Registrar's Office. If a student who has previously enrolled for online-only courses subsequently enrolls for and attends any class or portion of a class on campus, they must submit evidence of vaccination as above. More information about bacterial meningitis is available at the meningitis page. For any questions regarding the Meningitis Vaccine please refer to the Meningitis FAQ.
Students, parents, and guardians have the right to seek an exemption to this requirement. Exemption will only be permitted based on evidence that the bacterial meningitis vaccine would be injurious to a student's health and well-being according to the professional opinion of a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, or if the student has refused the vaccination based on a conscientious objection, including religion. Please see the Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Medical Exemption Affidavit. Exemptions from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience can only be requested through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Immunizations are available from the UNT Student Health and Wellness Center, personal physician, or a local Health Department.
Click Here to view and download The Bacterial Meningitis Immunization form.
The following is acceptable evidence of vaccination or receiving a booster dose:
- The signature or stamp of a physician or their designee, or public health person on a form which shows the month, day and year the vaccination dose or booster was administered.
- An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority
- An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state
Bacterial Meningitis Requirement Deadlines
If you were attending classes at UNT or UNT Dallas during the Spring 2019 semester, proof of immunization against bacterial meningitis is not required for Summer 2019 or Fall 2019 semesters.
New students, returning students, and continuing students not enrolled for Spring 2019 and who are under 22 years of age as of the first class day for the session or term they wish to enroll, should provide proof of a bacterial meningitis vaccination or exemption no later than 5:00 PM on the last day of regular registration. Students will be allowed to enroll prior to submitting the documents. However, classes will be canceled after 5:00 PM on the last day of regular registration for any student who has not submitted the proper documentation. Students who receive a vaccination after the deadline must submit a request for extension with documentation of immunization to be considered for enrollment. A student will be allowed to enroll late only if the proper immunization form is filed with the appropriate UNT Department (see Submitting Documentation below).
Fall 2019
The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is August 16, 2019.
Spring 2020
The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is December 6 for 3W1 Winter session and January 3, 2020 for Spring 2020.
Summer 2020
The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is May 1, 2020 for 3 Week 1, and 8 Week 1 sessions, May 22, 2020 for 5 Week 1, 8 Week 2 and 10 Week sessions, and June 26, 2020 for 5 Week 2.
Submitting Bacterial Meningitis Documentation
Immunization documentation may be submitted to UNT electronically, through the U.S. Postal Service, or delivered by hand to the following offices:
| New Undergrad & Transfer Students | International Students | New-Former Grad Students | Returning Undergraduates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Office of Admissions 1155 Union Circle #311277 Denton, TX 76203 Phone: 940-565-2681 |
Office of Admissions 1155 Union Circle #311277 Denton, TX 76203 Phone: 940-565-2681 |
Office of Admissions 1155 Union Circle #311277 Denton, TX 76203 Phone: 940-565-2681 |
Registrar's Office 1st floor Eagle Student Services Center 1155 Union Circle #311400 Denton, TX 76203 Fax: 940-565-4463 Phone: 940-565-2378 |
Bacterial Meningitis Requirements for Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) Students
All new IELI students, including transfer students, must show evidence of receipt of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination (meningococcal meningitis vaccine) dose or booster in the last five years and at least ten days prior to the first day of the term in which the student initially enrolls. This also applies to any IELI student returning to UNT after a break in enrollment for a fall or spring semester. This requirement does not apply to any student who will be twenty-two years of age or older on or prior to the first day of classes for the term in which they initially enroll.
Click Here to view and download The Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Form.
Requirement Deadlines for IELI Students
If you were attending IELI classes at UNT during Fall I and/or Fall II 2019 sessions, proof of immunization against bacterial meningitis is not required for Spring I 2020.
Students who receive vaccination after the deadline must submit a request for extension.
Fall I 2019: The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is August 16, 2019.
Fall II 2019: The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is October 11, 2019.
Spring I 2020: The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is January 3, 2020.
Spring II 2020: The last day to receive the immunization and enroll in classes without requesting an extension is March 8, 2020.
Immunization documentation for IELI students may be submitted to UNT electronically, through the U.S. Postal Service, or delivered by hand to:
Office of Admissions
1155 Union Circle #311277
Denton, TX 76203
Phone: 940-565-2681
For any questions regarding the Meningitis Vaccine: Meningitis FAQ
Other Recommended Vaccinations
Even though the bacterial meningitis vaccination is the only required immunization, the University of North Texas Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) recommends that all students have current immunizations for polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, rubella, mumps, and measles. Consideration should also be given to vaccination against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and varicella.
For questions, please email shwc-immz@unt.edu.
No phone calls, please.
Tuberculosis Screening Requirement for High-Risk Students
The University requires all incoming International and Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) students who are considered to be at high risk for tubercular disease, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to be screened for tuberculosis (TB). High-risk students must be screened and/or tested for TB within the first three (3) weeks, after the 12th class day, of their first term of study on the UNT campus. To begin the process, review the Tuberculosis Screening Process.
Students may provide documentation to Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) verifying that they were tested for TB on a previous date and report the results of his or her TB test using the Tuberculosis Screening Record for Outside Providers form. Documentation for the TB test will be accepted only if it is completed in the United States within the six (6) months prior to the first day of the student's first term of study at the University. The documentation must be validated with the signature and stamp/seal of a physician or authorized official and provide clear documentation of the date given and date read.
Any high-risk student who fails to meet TB requirements will have a registration block placed on their account by the Division of International Affairs.