Meningitis Immunization Requirements for Students

Beginning in January 2012, Texas law requires that all new students, including transfer students, must be immunized against bacterial meningitis.  The initial immunization or booster must have been received within the past 5 years and at least 10 days prior to the first day of class.  Proper documentation must be presented at the time of registration. 
Evidence of Vaccination – Acceptable evidence of vaccination or receiving a booster does include:

• The signature or stamp of a physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel on a form which shows the month, day, and year the vaccination dose or booster was administered;
• An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority; or
• An office record received from school officials, including a record from another state.

Students may be exempt from the requirement of the meningitis vaccine if:

1. You will be age 30 or older on the first day of classes of the semester in which you are enrolling at Wayland Baptist University.
2. You will be enrolled only in online or distance education courses.
3. You cannot take the vaccine because of medical reasons. Before students will be allowed to register for classes, WBU must receive an affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student.
4.  You decline vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. Before students will be allowed to register for classes, WBU must receive a completed, notarized, original Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Vaccine Exemption Affidavit Form. This process takes a significant amount of time. Students will need to begin well in advance of the intended registration date. The website to apply for this exemption is:  https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm  

It is important to consult a physician about the need for the immunization against bacterial meningitis to prevent the disease.