Meningitis Information

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement

Effective January 1, 2012, 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 (10) ten days prior to the first day of the semester in which the student initially enrolls. This new 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 thirty years of age or older or enrolled for online courses only.

It is important that students and their parents consult a physician about the need to be immunized against bacterial meningitis to prevent the disease. Click Here to read more information about bacterial meningitis.

Immunizations are available from a personal physician or a local Health Department. The immunization documentation can be attached to the Bacterial Meningitis Immunization form using Option 1 or your health care provider can complete the form using Option 2.

UNTHSC Meningitis Immunization Record

Evidence of Vaccination

The following is acceptable evidence of vaccination or receiving a booster dose:

• A completed UNTHSC Meningitis Immunization Record signed by a physician.
• 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.

Important Deadlines to Submit Immunization Records

	Spring 2012	Summer 2012	Fall 2012
School of Public Health	January 2, 2012	May 18, 2012	August 10, 2012
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences	January 2, 2012	May 18, 2012	August 10, 2012
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine			July 13, 2012
School of Health Professions			July 13, 2012

Records must be received by 5:00 PM on the date listed above. 

Students will be allowed to enroll prior to submitting documentation.  However classes will be cancelled after 5:00 PM on the date listed above for students who have not submitted proper documentation.  Students will be allowed to enroll during late registration only if the proper Meningitis Immunization form is filed with UNTHSC.

UNTHSC will allow students to receive the vaccination up to the first day of classes in order to enroll.  Students who receive the vaccination after the first day of classes will not be allowed to enroll for the semester. 

Submitting Documentation for Evidence of Vaccination

Students may submit evidence of vaccination by mail, e-mail, fax or hand-deliver it to the Registrar's Office.

Mail:    

University of North Texas Health Science Center

Office of the Registrar, EAD 247

3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard

Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699

E-mail:

Registrar@unthsc.edu

Fax: 

817-735-0448

Students who do not submit their immunization record by the first class day will not be allowed to attend classes for the semester.

Exemption by Online Enrollment

Students that are enrolled exclusively in online (distance learning) courses and will not be attending any classes on the campus may submit a waiver for exemption from the meningitis vaccination requirement. 

Students will need to submit the Meningitis Waiver for Online Course Enrollment each term in which the exemption is requested.  If the student wishes to attend classes on campus at any point, they must immediately submit proof of meningitis vaccination to the Registrar's Office.  Failure to do so will result in cancellation of courses. 

Evidence to Decline Vaccination

Students have the right to seek an exemption to this requirement.

Exemptions will only be permitted based on evidence that the bacterial meningitis vaccine would be injurious to a student's health based on the professional opinion of a medical practitioner or if the student has refused the vaccination based on a conscientious objection, including religion.

Exemptions from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience must be requested by submitting the Affidavit of Exemption from Immunizations for Bacterial Meningitis for Reasons of Conscience.

For medical exemptions, the Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Medical Exemption Affidavit must be completed.