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Student Services

Meningitis Requirement

MENINGITIS REQUIREMENT

Texas college students who are new to the institution and students returning after an absence of at least one fall or spring semester who are under age 22 on the first day of the term are required to submit documentation of immunization against bacterial meningitis.

Students who fail to meet this requirement may be dropped from courses or prevented from subsequent enrollment.  The deadline to submit your meningitis vaccination/exemption for Spring 2019 is January 4, 2019. 

The law mandates that the following students be vaccinated against the bacterial meningitis:

  • First-time college students
  • Students transferring from another institution
  • Students who are re-enrolling following an absence of at least one fall or spring semester
  • Students previously or currently enrolled exclusively in UT Arlington online courses who enroll in a UT Arlington in-seat course in subsequent sessions
  • Individuals under age 22 who plan to audit a course
  • All documents must be submitted in English

Students living in University Housing should also review information specific to housing contract requirements.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

Students may use the UT Arlington Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Record form as proof of vaccination. A portion of this form must be completed and signed/stamped by a healthcare provider or pharmacy.

An acceptable meningitis document will include the following:

  • Full name of student
  • Name of facility where the vaccination was given
  • Vaccine administration date and expiration
  • Meningitis vaccination must be present on the form
  • Signature of physician/provider OR stamp
  • Administered within the last 5 years of the admit term

A receipt of your visit will not suffice as proper documentation. Students who have not turned 22 before the start of the admit term are still required to provide proper meningitis documentation. 

Students may submit this form or their vaccination record directly to UT Arlington online.

SUBMISSION SCHEDULE

It is imperative that new and returning UT Arlington students who plan to enroll be vaccinated as soon as possible.  Students must be vaccinated at least 10 days prior to the official first day of class for the session.  The vaccination must have been administered within the last five years.  Limited exemptions are specified in state law.  Please note, international students on F-1 visas are not eligible for a waiver of the meningitis vaccination requirement based on exclusive enrollment in online courses because they may take no more than 3 hours of online coursework each semester.

If the student receives the vaccination less than 10 days prior to the first day of classes, UT Arlington will still accept the vaccination. However, any associated holds will not be removed until the 10 day period has lapsed. The student may not be allowed to attend classes on campus during this time.

If you are planning to move into campus housing, you must comply with the meningitis vaccination requirements within 10 days from your housing contract offer or 10 days before move in, whichever is earliest.  Students will not be allowed to move in to campus housing without submitting timely proof that they have complied with the meningitis vaccination law.  Please note, on-campus housing arrangements are made through the Housing Office.  You may contact the staff at 817-272-2791 or housing@uta.edu.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR EXEMPTION

Students entering a four-year college, university or other institution of higher education who wish to submit an exemption affidavit for meningococcal vaccination must request the official Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) affidavit form.  This may be done online or by mail/fax.  Once requested, the affidavit form is mailed from the DSHS to the student.  The affidavit must be completed, notarized and provided to UT Arlington.

Details for requesting and completing the affidavit are available at the DSHS website.  The affidavit must be notarized.

You must mail your completed and notarized affidavit to the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration or it may be submitted in person. 

UT Arlington will honor this exemption for two years from the date the form was notarized.


MEDICAL EXEMPTION

A student subject to the law may be exempted from the requirement if he or she provides an affidavit from a physician stating that the physician believes the vaccination would be injurious to the student’s health and well-being.

You may mail your completed physician’s affidavit to the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration or it may be submitted in person. 

UT Arlington will honor this exemption as specified by the physician.

CONTACTS INFORMATION

Office of Admissions, Records and Registration
(817) 272-6287 

Please note: We are currently experiencing extended wait times due to increased call volumes. We apologize for any delay in answering your call and we appreciate your patience.

University Housing
(817) 272-2791
uta.edu/housing

Affidavit for Exemption for Reasons of Conscience
https://corequest.dshs.texas.gov/

TEXAS MENGINGITIS VACCINATION LAW

The rules are set forth in:

FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS

What is bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The illness can progress rapidly and cause death or permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage or loss of limbs. Studies suggest college students have a slightly higher risk of contracting the illness because they live and work in close proximity to one another. More information is available online at www.cdc.gov/meningitis.

Do I have to get the meningitis vaccine?

You are required to show proof of having received the meningococcal meningitis vaccination if you are under age 22 and are a first-time UT Arlington student; a student transferring from another institution; a student who is re-enrolling following a break of at least one fall or spring semester; a continuing student changing from an online to an on-campus program; a student previously or currently enrolled exclusively in UT Arlington online courses who is enrolling in in-person classes in a subsequent session; or a student auditing a course without otherwise being enrolled at UT Arlington. You are not required to receive the vaccination if you are enrolled only in classes which are fully online and do not meet on campus.

The vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (MCV4 and MPSV4) offer protection against meningitis groups A, C, Y and W-135. Currently MCV4 and MPSV4 vaccines are the only vaccines accepted under state law. Please visit the CDC website for more information.

As an international student, am I required to comply with the vaccination requirement?

Yes, international students also must file proof they have received the vaccination by the specified deadline. UT Arlington strongly encourages international students to get the meningitis vaccine in their home country. Students also may purchase the vaccination through the UT Arlington Health Services Center, through an area public health clinic or from another provider.

International students on F-1 visas are NOT eligible for a waiver of the meningitis vaccination requirements based on exclusive enrollment in online courses because they may take no more than three hours of online coursework each semester.

Please note: Students specifically enrolled in the English Language Institute housed at UT Arlington are not subject to the requirements unless they are concurrently enrolled in a UT Arlington course. For information about the English Language Institute.

I'm enrolled at another institution and I plan to take one class at UT Arlington during a short term, such as summer or the winter break. Do I have to file proof I have had the meningitis vaccination?

If you plan to enroll in any class on the UT Arlington campus, then state law requires you to submit vaccination proof to UT Arlington.

I am a high school student enrolled in a dual credit course meeting on the UT Arlington campus. Do I have to comply with the meningitis vaccine requirement?

If you are taking dual credit courses at a UT Arlington campus, then you must comply with the meningitis vaccine law. If you are enrolled in a dual credit course held at your high school, then you are not required to comply with the law.

I am enrolled in continuing education courses at UT Arlington. Am I required to comply with the meningitis requirement?

Only students taking continuing education courses requiring 360 or more classroom hours are required to comply with the meningitis vaccine law. Most UT Arlington continuing education courses do not meet this threshold.

I plan to audit a class this upcoming semester. Am I required to receive the vaccination?

Yes, if you are under age 22 as of the first class day of the term you are auditing.

Are there any exemptions to this requirement?

A student to whom the law applies may be exempted from the requirement only if he or she presents an affidavit from a physician stating the physician believes the vaccination would be injurious to the student’s health and well-being, or he or she provides a conscientious exemption form.  Both are discussed above.

Where can I get the meningococcal meningitis vaccine? How much does it cost?

Contact your primary care physician. The price of the meningitis vaccination depends on your insurance coverage and your physician’s practice. Some insurance plans require a co-payment for preventative vaccinations, but others may fully cover the cost. The vaccine may also be available at area health care clinics and pharmacies.

The vaccine also is available through the UT Arlington Health Services Center. Students with private insurance may be able to file a claim afterward. For more information contact UT Arlington Health Services at 817-272-2771.

You may also wish to contact area public health agencies to ask whether the agency offers subsidized meningitis vaccine doses to lower-income, uninsured students.  Availability varies by clinic site and demand.

What type of documents will be accepted as proof showing I have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis?

Required documentation must be written in English, state your name, date of birth, full date when you were vaccinated and must clearly state the meningitis vaccine was administered to you. You may submit one of the following acceptable documents:

  • A statement provided by a physician or other health care provider authorized by law to administer the required vaccine;
  • A copy of your official immunization record issued by a state or local health authority in your country stating when you received the vaccine;
  • An official record from another higher education institution, including those in another state, certifying you have received the vaccination.

How do I submit records proving I have received the meningococcal meningitis immunization by the mandated deadline?

Proof documents may be uploaded online.

Exemption documents requiring notarization must be mailed or brought in directly to UT Arlington. Please allow appropriate time for mailing and processing. 

What happens if I have not been vaccinated by or have not submitted my vaccination documents by the start of the semester?

UT Arlington students who do not submit the proper vaccination documentation may be dropped from their classes or prevented from subsequent enrollment.

May I move into UT Arlington Housing before I have been vaccinated against meningitis? May I move in before I have submitted proof showing I have received the vaccination?

No, only new students who fully comply with the state meningitis vaccine law will be allowed to move into campus housing.

In addition, all new students planning to move into campus housing must comply with the meningitis vaccination requirements within 10 days from a housing contract offer or 10 days before move in, whichever is earliest. Students will not be allowed to move in to campus housing until 10 days have passed from the date of their vaccination. See UT Arlington’s Housing website for additional details.

I have already ordered my parking permit and have now been dropped from my classes because I did not file proof showing I received the meningitis vaccine in time. Can I get a refund?

Yes, if you drop classes at any time before classes begin or before census date, you may receive a full or partial parking permit refund, depending on your circumstances. To qualify, you may return your permit in person or by certified mail. The Parking Office is located in the J.D. Wetsel Building, 1225 W. Mitchell St., Arlington, TX 76019.

Please Note: No refunds will be issued after the semester’s census date.

Office of Records and Registration
129 Davis Hall · Box 19088 · Arlington, TX 76019-0088
Phone: 817-272-3372