Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination RequirementDuring the last Texas legislative session, Texas Senate Bill 1107 (SB 1107) was passed and signed into law by Texas State Governor Rick Perry. Effective January 1, 2012, SB 1107 requires all students (under age 30) entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester.
∑ Texas House Bill 1107 (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 Mount Pleasant area. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar?s Office at (903)434-8100.
Evidence of Vaccination
Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received no later than the first day of the semester and must be submitted 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 two 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 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 from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used and can be requested here - Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Please allow several weeks for delivery. (This link was updated 10/11/21)
Important Considerations
∑ You are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Mount Pleasant area
∑ You will not be allowed to register for classes until you provide proof of vaccination.
∑ 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
∑ The bacterial meningitis vaccination is available at:
- the Texas Department of State Health Services, 1014 N. Jefferson, Mount Pleasant
- Walgreens Pharmacy, 203 W Ferguson Rd, Mount Pleasant
- Medicine Chest 110, 314 Texas Highway 37, Mount Vernon
- McKellar's Medicine Chest, 609 N. Jefferson, Mount Pleasant
∑ The cost of the bacterial meningitis vaccination may be cheaper in your home country or through your current physician.
How to Submit Evidence of Vaccination or an Affidavit to Decline Vaccination
All documents should be mailed, faxed, emailed or hand-delivered to the Registrar's Office. If you fax the documents, please use the Registrar?s Office Fax Cover Sheet.
Mail: Northeast Texas Community College, PO Box 1307, Mount Pleasant, TX 75456
Phone: (903)434-8100
Fax: (903)572-6712, Fax Cover Sheet
E-mail: bgooding@ntcc.edu
Hand Delivery: Administration Building, Registrar?s Office, 2886 FM 1735, Chapel Hill Rd, Mount Pleasant, TX.
