Bacterial Meningitis
As of January 1, 2012, all entering college and university students are required to show proof of an initial meningococcal vaccination or a booster dose within five years from the start of classes. They must get the vaccine at least 10 days before the semester begins.
Students must fulfill this requirement if they meet any of the following:
a first-time student of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education
a transfer student
a student who previously attended an institution of higher education before January 1, 2012, who is enrolling in the
same or another institution of higher education following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester
The following students are exempt from the vaccine requirement:
-
a student 30 years of age or older by the first day of the semester
a student enrolled only in online or other distance education courses
a student enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours
not located on campus
We will accept any ONE of the following:
• A copy of official immunization record issued by a state or local health authority in your country;
• A statement provided by a physician or other health care provider authorized by law to administer the required vaccine;
• If you are already in the United States, a copy of official record received directly from a Texas school official or a school official in another state.
Required documentation must:
• Be written in English;
• State your name and date of birth;
• State the month, date, and year the required vaccine was administered; and,
• If the documentation is not an official immunization record or a school record, it must also include:
° The name, address, phone number of the facility where the vaccine was administered, or
° The name, address, signature or stamp of the public health official who administered the required vaccination.
• Documentation from pharmacies must include name and address, phone number of the facility, where the vaccine was administered, as well as patient name and name of person who administered immunization.
Instructions to submit documents to Student Health Services: Gather the required documentation as indicated on The Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine Requirement Form. To prevent delays in processing paperwork and removing holds, please submit documentation at least two weeks prior to registering for classes.
Submit your immunization records to UTSA Student Health Services by one of four ways: in person, by fax, by mail or by email.
UTSA Student Health Services
One UTSA Circle, RWC 1.500
San Antonio, TX 78249
Fax: (210) 458-4151
Email: StudentHealthServices@utsa.edu
Records from School
Please instruct your school to send records directly to UTSA Student Health Services by any of the above methods. Under the statute, school immunization records must be emailed, mailed or faxed directly from the school to Student Health Services.
PLEASE NOTE:
Submission of documents will be processed from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Any documents emailed or faxed after 4:00 pm will be processed on the next business day (within 24 business hours). Hold removals and processing are not conducted on weekends and holidays. Submission of documents to Student Health Services will not remove holds automatically. Inadequate documents will delay a hold removal and if this occurs, we will call or email you. Please check the status of your hold through your ASAP account after 24 business hours.
Q: Why is the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination required?
A: Effective January 1, 2012, a State of Texas law requires all students who are new to UTSA and under the age of 30 as of the first day of classes, must present written proof of having received the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination within the last five years.
Q: Where and how do I submit my Meningococcal Meningitis immunization records?
A: Submit your immunization records to UTSA Student Health Services one of four ways: in person, by fax, by mail or by email.
UTSA Student Health Services
One UTSA Circle, RWC 1.500
San Antonio, TX 78249
Fax: (210) 458-4151
Email: StudentHealthServices@utsa.edu
Call (210) 458-6412 with any questions.
Q: If the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine is not available in my area, what are my options?
A: Vaccination is available at
• San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (210) 207-8790
• Student Health Services (210) 458-4142 or 458-2930 by appointment or
• Consult your personal physician for possible options.
You must have the vaccination at least 10 days before the start of classes.
Q. What will the cost be if I decide to be vaccinated at UTSA?
A. The cost is $100. We accept cash, check, and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover).
Q: What if I do not submit my documentation or my Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination took place more recently than 10 days before?
A: Incomplete documentation may delay the process of class registration. You will be unable to register for classes at UTSA until the completed documentation is received and the vaccination is at least 10 days past.
Q: Are there any exceptions to the Meningococcal Meningitis requirement?
A: The types of exceptions and instructions on how to file are found on the Waivers tab on this page.
Q: What type of documentation will you need to confirm that I've had an acceptable vaccination?
A: We will accept any ONE of the following:
a. A copy of official immunization record issued by a state or local health authority in your country;
b. A statement provided by a physician or other health care provider authorized by law to administer
the required vaccine;
c. If you are already in the United States, a copy of official record received directly from a Texas school
official or a school official in another state.
Required documentation must:
a. Be written in English;
b. State your name and date of birth;
c. Clearly state that the required vaccine was administered to you;
d. State the month, date, and year the required vaccine was administered; and,
e. If the documentation is not an official immunization record or a school record, it must also include:
i. The name, address, phone number of the facility where the vaccine was administered, or
ii. The name, address, signature or stamp of the public health official who administered the required vaccination.
Q. How can I verify that my records have been received?
A. Check your ASAP account to verify if your hold has been removed. We will call or email you if additional information is needed. If you have not received a phone call or an email message and you still have the hold, please call (210) 458-6412.
Please be sure that your name, birth date, and doctor/clinic name are listed on EACH page of your documentation.
Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast – so take the utmost caution. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacterium that causes meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among college students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
• High fever
• Rash or purple patches on skin
• Severe headache
• Light sensitivity
• Confusion and sleepiness
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Nausea
• Seizures
There may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.
HOW IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS DIAGNOSED?
Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests.
Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.
HOW IS THE DISEASE TRANSMITTED?
The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions.
HOW DO YOU INCREASE YOUR RISK OF GETTING BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?
Exposure to saliva by sharing cigarettes, water bottles, eating utensils, food, kissing, etc.
Living in close conditions (such as sharing a room/suite in a dorm or group home).
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISEASE?
• Death
• Hearing loss, blindness
• Permanent brain damage
• Coma
• Kidney failure
• Learning disability
• Convulsions
• Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) that requires amputation
CAN THE DISEASE BE TREATED?
• Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives and chances of recovery are increased.
However, permanent disability or death can still occur.
• Vaccinations are available and should be considered for those living in close quarters, college students
25 years old or younger.
• Vaccinations are effective against 4 of the 5 most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease
in the U.S. (but does not protect against all types of meningitis).
• Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years.
• The cost of vaccine varies, so check with your health care provider.
• Vaccination is very safe – most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up
to two days.
• Vaccination is available at San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (210) 207-8790, Student Health
Services (210) 458-4142 or 458-2930 or your personal physician.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION?
• Contact your own health care provider.
• Contact Student Health Services at (210) 458-4142 or 458-2930.
• Contact your local or regional Texas Department of Health Office at (210)207-8790.
• Contact web sites: www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html or www.acha.org
There are two different types of waivers with specific instructions. Please read the descriptions of each waiver carefully and choose the waiver that best fits your housing arrangements while attending UTSA-either you are living on-campus (Chaparral, Chisholm, University Oaks, Laurel Village) or off-campus. Follow the instructions according to their requirements.
Conscientious Objection form for student 18 YEARS OLD OR OLDER NOT LIVING IN ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
For new students at institutions of higher education NOT living or residing in on-campus housing, who wish to file an affidavit stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, the student may use the official Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s form (PDF). The student must print the form, have it notarized, and either mail it or bring it in person to Student Health Services-Main clinic. Please provide a statement on a separate document stating that the student will not be living on campus. Therefore, a total of two documents must be submitted at Student Health Services.
Conscientious Objection form for student LIVING IN ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
For new students living in on-campus housing, which includes student housing facilities located on the campus of an institution of higher education, such as dormitories, sorority and fraternity houses, privately owned residence halls, and apartments, the student must use the official Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) form. The DSHS form may be ordered electronically. It is then mailed from DSHS to the student and it may take up to two weeks to receive the form.
The DSHS form must be completed, notarized, and sent to Student Health Services-Main clinic. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the DSHS form and have it notarized. Information about requesting the DSHS affidavit form is available here: https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm.
Mail to or bring in-person:
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Student Health Services
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
The waiver must be completely filled out, signed in the correct areas, and notarized. We accept originals only. Incomplete forms or photocopies will not be accepted and may delay the process of class registration.