NEW Immunization Requirement

Effective Spring 2012 Semester for All TEXAS Students

 

The Texas legislature passed a law requiring ALL entering students at institutions of higher education to have an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination or booster during the five-year period preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the first semester or submit an affidavit for an exemption. Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster.

 

Who must meet the requirement? 

  • Any NEW STUDENT, beginning with Spring 2012 semester, who is taking classroom courses for credit at any CTC campus in the state of Texas, including Fort Hood.
  • Any PREVIOUSLY ENROLLED STUDENT who had a break of at least one semester.  (Students enrolling in Spring 2012 who did not enroll in Fall 2011)

 

We are aware that some students are encountering challenges to completing the meningitis vaccination requirement. The compliance date for an individual student may be extended to the 10th day after the first day of the semester by our admissions staff, and we will work with all students to help them come into compliance this spring.

If you do not submit vaccine documentation or exemption paperwork, you will not be permitted to register for future semesters until the requirement is fulfilled.

 

Are you exempt?
Evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis, or a booster dose, is not required by students who:

  • Enrolled during the fall 2011 term and who maintain continual fall and spring term enrollment as long as they remain CTC students (NOTE: The exception does not apply once a CTC student transfers to another college.)
  • Are 30 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester; or
  • enrolled only in online or other distance education courses
  • enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing education corporate training
  • enrolled in a dual credit course which is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a higher education institution campus
  • are incarcerated in a Texas prison
  • present an affidavit or certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, stating that in the physician’s opinion, the vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student
  • present an affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) must be used. http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school/default.shtm#exclusions . The DSHS form may be ordered electronically; however it will be mailed to the address provided by the student. It may take up to two weeks to receive the DSHS form. The DSHS form must be completed, notarized, and provided to the designated school official at the institution the student will be attending.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete the DSHS form and have it notarized. The student must file the completed/notarized form with the designated office or unit of the institution.

IMMUNIZATION AVAILABILITY


Submitting Documentation
CTC has chosen the services of Magnus Heath Student Medical Record (SMR), a web-based system for tracking and storing the bacterial meningitis immunizations and exemptions. Effective February 7, 2012, all new and returning students who must meet the new bill requirement are required to submit documentation through Magnus Health SMR. On or after February 7, you may no longer submit your documentation to Central Texas College.

Prior to February 7, you will receive an email from Magnus Health SMR containing your username and temporary password to access your account and provide the information required by the state. The bacterial meningitis vaccine, or exemption from this vaccine, must be provided to attend any college or university in Texas. All students are required to submit their information through Magnus Health SMR. Students must pay a one-time administrative fee of $10 directly to Magnus when submitting their official Exemption/Vaccination documentation.

When you log in to your Magnus Health SMR account you will be able to download the forms that need to be completed to provide proof of the vaccination (or exemption).

If you have any additional questions, please contact customer support from Magnus Health SMR which is available to you by phone (877-461-6831) and email (service@magnushealthportal.com).