Sul Ross State University
A Member of the Texas State University System

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, incoming students who live in campus housing will be required to provide either evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis or a signed affidavit declining the vaccination prior to living on campus. Students will not be permitted a permanent housing assignment until one of the following documents is received by the Office of Residential Living. Failure to adhere to this state-mandated requirement does not release the student from any obligation to the university or exempt the student from the university housing policy.

This requirement is stipulated by Texas House Bill 4189 (HB 4189), which requires that any incoming new student who lives on campus must either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before they can live on campus.

Legal Requirements

One of the two requirements must be met:

1. Evidence the student has received the vaccination (student must have received vaccination at least 10 days prior to living on campus) must be submitted in one of the following three formats:

• A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered);
• An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered); or
• An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

OR

2. Evidence the student is declining the vaccination must be submitted in one of the following two formats:

• An affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccination required 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 bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form ("Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience") from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used.

Vaccinations

If you have not already received the meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine, contact your primary health-care provider or your local public health clinic to determine availability. Most large pediatrician offices offer the vaccine and the cost will depend on your insurance coverage. Most local health departments will offer the vaccine at a low cost. However, these offices offer limited vaccination times so be sure to call ahead.