Meningitis Info
About the Texas State Law for Bacterial Meningitis
Effective January 1, 2014 Texas state law ( Senate Bill 62) requires that on the first day of class at an institution of higher education in Texas, Sam Houston State University, students must provide proof of immunization OR an accepted waiver for bacterial meningitis.
Does this apply to me?
If you meet one of the following criteria, SHSU requires you to submit either your evidence of vaccine or one of the approved methods of waiver from the vaccine before being able to register for classes or secure on campus housing:
Note: If you are 22 or older this requirement does not apply to you
- You are a returning student who did NOT attend classes at SHSU the preceding semester
- You are an entering first time freshman
- You are an entering first time transfer student
- You are an entering graduate or post-baccalaureate student
Which vaccine do I need?
Per the SHSU Meningitis Policy our students are expected to receive the following vaccination:
MenA (required)
MCV 4 vaccine
(MenACWY/MPSV)
Brand Name: Menveo, Menactra, Menomune, MenQuadfi and Penbraya
If recommended by their medical provider, students may also get the following vaccination in addition to the required vaccination:
MenB
MenB Vaccine
Brand Name: Trumenba and BexSero
This vaccination must have been received during the 5 years prior to enrollment.
What is my next step?
Please complete submission through the Patient Portal with one of the following processes:
- You may be eligible to have your meningitis immunization hold "auto-cleared":
-
If you are currently registered with the State of Texas Immunization Registry, ImmTrac2, through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Student Health Center medical records system interfaces with that system.
Your vaccination records will automatically upload into your chart at the Student Health Center.
This will allow your meningitis hold to automatically lift without any further action from you, IF your vaccine is current, meaning you received it within the last 5 years.
If your vaccine that uploads is not current, you will be required to get a booster, and that would have to be entered into the system before your hold would lift
-
- Choice 1: To submit your shot record online:
- Log into the KatHealth Patient Portal
- Step 1: Click on the Forms and Clearances tab on the side menu bar.
- Step 2: Click the green Update button next to Immunization Records and upload a copy of your shot record or the completed form.
- Step 3: Click on the green Update button next to Meningococcal ACWY and enter the date of vaccine and select the type of vaccine you received from the drop down.
- Step 4: Your record will be reviewed by SHC staff, and once verified your hold will be lifted. Records are reviewed Monday- Friday during regular business hours.
- Choice 2: To claim a medical waiver exemption:
- Contact your physician's office to obtain a medical affidavit or certificate signed by a physician registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States stating that in the opinion of the physician the required meningitis vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student
- This affidavit must have the contact information for the physician writing it provided
- The letter must state the date on which the waiver expires and the student is eligible for vaccine if the medical exemption is due to a temporary medical condition. If the condition is lifetime the letter must state it is a lifetime exemption.
- Step 1: Log into the KatHealth Patient Portal
- Step 2: Click on Available Forms on the side menu bar.
- Step 3: Click the green Upload button to upload your form and save.
- Choice 3: To request a waiver of conscience:
- This must be done through the State of Texas Department of State Health Services
- Allow 3-4 weeks for completion of this process
- You must request the “Exemption from Immunizations Reasons of Conscience Affidavit Form” from the Texas Department of State Health Services. You may find this form at https://co-request.dshs.texas.gov/
- Once you complete the process with the State of Texas you may upload your notarized waiver form to the KatHealth Patient Portal
- Step 1: Click on Available Forms on the side menu bar.
- Step 2: Click the green Upload button to upload your form and save.
- Choice 4: To claim a Distance Learning Waiver :
- A new Meningitis Distance Learning Exemption Form is required each semester that you intend to take distance learning courses.
- Course schedule will be monitored to verify registration of distance learning only for the term indicated
- Registration for any course that is not distance learning, will cause your entire schedule to be dropped and a meningitis hold will be placed on your account.
- Log into the KatHealth Patient Portal
- Step 1: Click on Available Forms on the side menu bar.
- Step 2: Click the green Upload button to upload your form and save.
Questions? Need Help?
Please feel free to contact us at 936-294-1805 or shc@shsu.edu
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