Office of Student Health Services

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine Requirement

Texas law (Senate Bill 1107 and Senate Bill 62) requires that students* under the age of 22 years old entering institutions of higher education either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis caused by the most common types of the bacteria, or serogroups A, C, W and Y, or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination at least 10 days prior to the first day of their first semester. Students who do not comply with the requirement are subject to being dropped from their classes.

Which Meningitis vaccine is accepted:

Only the bacterial meningitis vaccine, or MCV4, will meet the vaccine requirement of the university. Meningitis B vaccines cannot be accepted as proof of meningitis vaccination.

If you are an international student and are unsure if the vaccine you have received meets the requirements of the university, it is your responsibility to contact the Office of Student Health Services in order to determine if your vaccine will be accepted.

The Bacterial Meningitis vaccination requirement applies to:

• New students
• Transfer students
• Returning TAMIU students who have experienced a break in their TAMIU enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester

You are exempt from the vaccination requirement if any of the following apply:

• You are 22 years of age or older as of the first day of the semester
• You are enrolled only in online or other distance education courses
• You are enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours
• You are enrolled in a dual credit course which is taught at a facility not located on the TAMIU campus

Evidence to decline Bacterial Meningitis vaccination must be submitted if:

• You cannot take the vaccine because of medical reasons and have submitted an affidavit or 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 vaccine required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student. Documentation must be turned in to the Office of Student Health Services at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester. Bacterial Meningitis Medical Exception Form
• You decline the vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, and have submitted an affidavit that is notarized and signed by the student. Please note: You must complete an original, Texas Department of State Health Services Vaccine Exemption Affidavit Form. Click here to request a Vaccine Exemption Affidavit Form. This is the only acceptable documentation for this exemption. The original, notarized form must be submitted to the Office of Student Health Services at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester. Uploaded, faxed or emailed copies are not acceptable.

Important considerations about Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination:

• Bacterial Meningitis vaccination must be received at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester and must be no more than 5 years old. Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster.
• All documents should include the student's name and date of birth.
• International students are strongly encouraged to obtain the Bacterial Meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Laredo area.

Evidence of vaccination must be submitted using one of the following 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).
• An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
• A complete 'Evidence of Vaccination against Bacterial Meningitis Form'. Use this form if you plan to obtain your vaccination somewhere other than your physician or a health department. This form can be used if you are getting your vaccine at a pharmacy.

International Records: Bacterial Meningitis documents must be in English. If your vaccine record is not in English, have your physician or his/her designee complete the 'Evidence of Vaccination against Bacterial Meningitis Form'. You must submit this form as proof of your vaccination directly to Med+Proctor.

How to submit evidence of Bacterial Meningitis vaccination:

• All evidence of vaccination must be submitted through Med+Proctor.
• There is no charge for this service; however, students have the option to purchase a membership for a one time fee of $10. This membership will provide lifetime access to your immunization data that can be shared with others, as you designate.
• We suggest submitting your documentation as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks before your intended registration date, to prevent possible registration delays. Verification of immunizations may take up to 2 business days for notification and hold to be removed from the student's Banner account.
• Follow the instructions below and click the button to connect to the secured Med+Proctor immunization portal.

Step One: Register

Visit medproctor.com and select register to start a new account. Type in your university issued Dusty email address to get started and follow the directions to register a new account.

Step Two: Download

Fill out any required personal, medical or insurance information. Download the required forms and follow the directions provided.

Step Three: Upload

Log back in to your MedProctor account and upload a copy of your forms. Make sure your forms are complete and legible. You will receive an email confirmation once the forms have been reviewed.

Questions and Support

If you have difficulty using MedProctor, you may contact MedProctor between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. During these hours you can live chat with their support agents directly from their; support site or while you are completing your student workflow. This feature is located at the bottom right of the screen on either Med+Proctor site.

You may also email help@medproctor.com with your issue and this will create a ticket for their support agents to take care of you.

Where to get a Bacterial Meningitis vaccine:

• With your healthcare provider, at a local pharmacy, or the local health department. Many insurances fully cover the cost of the vaccine; however, it is recommended to call your insurance carrier to verify coverage and/or benefits.
• Be advised that TAMIU Student Health Services does not accept insurance at this time. To use your TAMIU Student Health insurance for obtaining a Meningitis Vaccine, you must visit a provider in the community.
• TAMIU Student Health Services offers the meningitis vaccine at a reduced cost to registered students. Appointment is required. Call 956.326.2235 for more information.

Additional information or resources related to Bacterial Meningitis, college vaccine requirements, and the law:

Bacterial Meningitis: Information from the CDC

College Vaccine Requirements

Texas Education Code (full text) 51.9192

Texas Senate Bill 62

Texas Senate Bill 1107

Texas A&M International University - Student Health Services

Student Center (STC) 125 Phone: 956.326.2235 Fax: 956.326.2234