Effective October 1, 2013, State of Texas law states that all new students under the age of 22 (as of the first day of class) entering an institution of higher education (public or private) must present written proof of having received the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination within the last five years.

• Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.9192 (entire text)
• Important Information about Bacterial Meningitis

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the San Antonio area.

Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received during the five year period prior to and no later than 10 days prior to the first day of the semester.

Evidence of vaccination must be submitted through Med+Proctor in one of the following four formats:

1. A complete Evidence of Vaccination against Bacterial Meningitis Form Use this form if you plan to obtain your vaccination somewhere other than your personal physician's office.
2. 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).
3. An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
4. An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

Evidence to Decline Vaccination

Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in one of the following formats:

1. 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.
2. An affidavit that is notarized and signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.

• To request an Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience students must request the official Texas DSHS affidavit form  The form must be signed and notarized prior to submitting to Med+Proctor.
  
  
• Students who intend to enroll in Distance Education courses ONLY must submit the petition for a waiver form .

Important Considerations

• You must receive the bacterial meningitis vaccination at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester.  The vaccination must be no more than five years old from the date you first enroll.
• The bacterial meningitis vaccination must be administered by a Health Practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization.
• Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster.
• Students that were allowed to register for classes prior to submitting proof of the vaccination will be dropped from their classes at 5 p.m. on the 10th day prior to the start of the semester unless an extension is approved through the Welcome Center.

How to Submit Evidence of Vaccination or an Affidavit to Decline Vaccination

All documents must be uploaded into our secured Med+Proctor database. Students will be required to use their university-issued email while registering for an account with  Med+Proctor. Verifications and approved immunizations may take up to 48 hours for notifications and the hold to be removed from the student's account.

Use this link to connect to Med+Proctor Portal:

https://secure.medproctor.com/Account/Landing

To determine if your submitted documentation has satisfied the evidence of vaccination requirement for bacterial meningitis see your Med+Proctor portal account. If you have any questions, please contact the Welcome Center at (210) 784-1300.