Bacterial Meningitis

Texas law requires new or returning former students to be immunized for meningitis. This law applies to students entering college as of January 1, 2012.  Update:  Effective October 1, 2013 the exemption age has been lowered from 30 to 22.

The 82nd Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 1107, which requires all students entering a public, private, or independent institution of higher education in Texas as of January 2012 and thereafter to provide documentation that they have had a meningococcal (bacterial meningitis) vaccine or “booster” dose- within the last five years and at least 10 days prior to the first day of class

The meningitis vaccination requirement applies to:

  • All first time students at Howard College/SWCD
  • All students who are transferring from any institution of higher education to Howard College/SWCD
  • All students who previously attended Howard College/SWCD, and who are enrolling following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester. (Students, who complete a spring semester at HC/SWCD, are not enrolled for the summer at HC/SWCD, and who returns in the fall are considered “continuing students” and are not included in this requirement.)

Students who fail to submit required meningitis vaccination documents will be restricted from registering for classes.

MENINGITIS IMMUNIZATION FORMS

Students EXEMPT from this requirement:

  • You will be age 22 or older on the first day of classes of the semester in which you are enrolling at HC/SWCD
  • You will be enrolled only in online or distance education courses.
  • Students who present an affidavit signed by a licensed physician stating that the vaccination would be injurious to the health or well-being of the student.
  • Students who decline the vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A copy of the internet-based Department of State Health Services form to claim an exemption for reasons of conscience must be submitted to the Admissions office at the institution the student will be attending.  This form can be found at https://co-request-jc.dshs.texas.gov/. 
  • Students 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.
  • Continuing Education students attending courses or programs that are less than 360 contact hours.
  • Students incarcerated in a Texas prison.

Acceptable documentation to prove that you have met the meningococcal vaccine requirement

  • The signature or stamp of a physician or his/her designee or public health personnel on a form that shows the month, day and year of your most recent meningococcal vaccination or booster dose;
  • an official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority that includes the same information as above; or
  • an official record received from school officials, including a record from another state, which includes the same information as above.

Contact the following for more information

Big Spring & Lamesa Sites

San Angelo Site

SWCD Campus