As an admitted student you may have received emails and texts asking you to submit your Bacterial Meningitis vaccination record to Tarleton State before starting your classes. Unfortunately, this is not a step in the enrollment process that you can skip, but don’t fret. We are going to break down what you need to know about Bacterial Meningitis and how to submit it to us!
Who needs to complete the Bacterial Meningitis vaccination hold?
Well, if you have received communication from Tarleton State asking to complete it then it is required for you. But to better explain, future and returning students who are under the age of 22 and plan to enroll in on-campus classes will be required to submit their vaccination or exemptions. This is a state requirement, not just a Tarleton requirement!
What is Bacterial Meningitis?
Meningococcal Disease (meningitis) is easily spread through contact or respiratory droplets. It causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, and mental changes. Meningitis is often mistaken for the flu, leading to delayed treatment. It can progress rapidly, potentially causing death within 24-48 hours. Survivors may experience long-term health problems such as brain damage, kidney failure, learning disabilities, and more.
Where to get vaccinated + free resources
NOTICE: The law does not specify which Meningitis vaccine students must receive. The vaccine covering types A, C, W, Y (Menveo, Menactra) is the vaccine that covers the predominant strains of bacteria causing meningitis in this region. It is the most common meningitis vaccine that is currently administered. The Penbraya vaccine (covers all five meningitis strains – A, B, C, W, Y) and Meningitis B vaccine (Trumenba, Bexsero) are available as well. While Meningitis B is less common in this region, outbreaks on college campuses in other parts of the country have occurred. Students and parents should discuss with their healthcare provider which vaccines are most appropriate for their own circumstance. For additional information regarding the variances in Meningitis vaccines, please visit the CDC Meningitis Vaccine website.
If you have a primary care doctor that you see regularly, they should be able to administer the vaccine or help you find where to get one.
Retail Clinics:
- CVS
- HEB pharmacy
- Walgreens
- Urgent Care Centers
Texas Local Public Health Organizations
Tarleton Student Health Services: Tarleton does not take insurance. There is an out-of-pocket cost to receive vaccination at the clinic on campus.
Students without medical insurance or whose insurance does not cover the bacterial meningitis vaccine:
If the student is 18 or younger they may qualify for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program. The United Way helpline, 211, will help find providers who participate in this program. For registered students, the fee can be prorated on the student’s bill at Tarleton State University’s Student Health Services.
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial.html
How do I submit my Vaccination to Tarleton?
Once you are admitted you will,
- Register with Med + Proctor
- Use your Tarleton email address to register your account
- Tarleton’s admissions office will ONLY accept proof of vaccination through Med + Proctor unless it is an Affidavit for Exemption (see information below)
- Check out this video with how to submit your vaccination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuyMQaUMxb0
How can I be exempt?
You may be exempt if:
You are 22 or older on the first day of the semester.
Enrolled in an online degree program.
Once you are in the Med+Proctor portal go to ‘Documents’ then ‘Download Documents’, the student will choose ‘Online Exemption Form’ and complete and upload the form in the Med+Proctor portal.
If you cannot receive the vaccine because it would be injurious to your health and well-being, follow these steps:
Request a signed letter from your 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.
Submit this documentation to your Med+Proctor account.
If you decline the vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, follow these steps:
Request the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Vaccine Exemption Affidavit Form- Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience.
This is the only acceptable documentation for this exemption, and this process takes a significant amount of time to receive from the state.
The community college form is not valid for universities.
Submit the original notarized affidavit with chosen vaccinations checked within 90 days of it being notarized to:
Mailed: Office of Undergraduate AdmissionsBox T-0030 Stephenville, TX 76402
Hand deliver to: Tarleton Center – Texan Services Check-in for Admissions to hand-deliver it to an Admissions staff member.
Please remember that even if you are exempt, you will have to submit paperwork to clear your hold!
I had the vaccine, do I need to get it again?
The bacterial meningitis vaccination expires five years after the date it is received. The vaccination must be within the five years on the first day of classes for the semester starting.
We hope this helps explain bacterial meningitis a little bit better and can answer some questions about taking care of this important step in the enrollment process. Our Office of Undergraduate Admissions is happy to help you through this process!
Contact Office of Undergraduate Admissions
admissions@tarleton.edu
254-968-9123
For more information: https://www.tarleton.edu/admissions/bacterial-meningitis/