Bacterial Meningitis Immunization
Beginning January 2014, Texas state law (SB 62) requires all students under the age of 22 taking classes at an institution of higher learning must submit proof that they have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. Students may also submit proof of approved conscience exemption from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Bacterial meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast. More information can also be found at the website for the Center for Disease Control.
Texas state law (SB 1107 and SB 62) requires all under the age of 22 entering an institution of higher education to show proof that they have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester. The vaccine must be no more than 5 years old from the date the student enrolls.
The entire text of SB 1107 and SB 62 may be found here:
The following exemptions apply:
- Students who are 22 years of age or older by the first class day of the semester
- Students who are enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing education corporate training
- Students who are enrolled in online classes only
- The Texas Department of Health allows exemptions from the immunization based on:
- Medical issues
- Reasons of conscience, including a religious belief
- Active duty with the U.S. armed forces
- If you are (or will be) over the age of 22 prior to the start of the term, you will automatically receive the exemption.
- If you plan on taking only online courses, you will need to contact the Admissions Office and ask for the exemption. Note: if Admissions grants you this exemption and then you enroll in on-campuses courses, you will be dropped from these on-campus courses.
- Students can opt to file an exemption under one of the provisions from the Texas Department of State Health Services by completing the exemption form found at https://co-request-jc.dshs.texas.gov/.
- The form is valid for any student requesting an exemption under one of provisions regardless if the student is living on or off campus or their age.
- A physician signed or stamped form. You may use this evidence of vaccination form.
- Official state or local immunization record
- Official record from school officials
You can submit evidence of vaccination or an affidavit to decline vaccination through your myBLINN account.
- Go to my.blinn.edu.
- Enter your username: firstname.lastnameXX
- XX represents the last 2 digits of your Blinn ID number.
- Enter the password you set during account activation.
If you have previously attended Blinn College and have already set up your myBLINN account, the password will be the last one used to log in. If you have forgotten the password or need to reset it, please access Blinn's Password Manager at https://password.blinn.edu/pmuser.
- Once you have logged into myBLINN, click on the Admissions Forms icon.
- Click "Evidence of Vaccination against Bacterial Meningitis" at the top of the page and follow the instructions within the form. You must have access to your bacterial meningitis vaccination record or exemption to submit the form.
If you are required to have the vaccination and do not submit evidence or proof of exemption, you will be moved to all online classes before the tenth day of class.
Students with insurance
The bacterial meningitis vaccine is available at most doctors' offices and private clinics, many large pharmacy chains (CVS or Walgreens), and some minor emergency centers or medi-clinics.
Students with Medicaid or CHIP
The first option for students who have Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Plan) should be to contact his/her established healthcare provider to see if they offer the vaccine.
Students without insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover the bacterial meningitis vaccine
- If the student is 18 or younger, he/she may qualify for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program. Call the United Way's referral helpline, by dialing 211, to find healthcare providers in the area who participate in this program.
- Many Texas city/county health departments offer free or low-cost meningococcal vaccine as part of children and adult immunization programs. Visit City/County Health Departments in Texas for more information about these services.
The vaccine must be received no later than 10 days prior to the start of the term.