Bacterial Meningitis Requirement

New and returning students must show evidence of receipt of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination dose or booster during the five-year preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester in which the student initially enrolls at an institution, or following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester at CTC or another institution.

A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis or evidence of a booster dose if (1) student is 22 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester, or (2) student is enrolled only in online or other distance education courses, or (3) student is enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours or continuing education corporate training, or (4) student is enrolled in a dual credit course taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a higher education institution campus, (5) student is incarcerated in a Texas prison, or (6) student is a member of the U.S. military on active duty.

A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student submits to CTC:

• 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; or
•  An affidavit signed by the student or parent stating that the student or parent declines the vaccination for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. 
• A conscientious Internet based exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) claiming an exemption for reasons of conscience must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.

CTC uses Med+Proctor to collect, track, and manage a student’s bacterial meningitis compliancy. Visit the Texas CTC webpage “Apply for Admission,” which provides step-by-step instructions for submitting the bacterial meningitis immunization record or exemption request.

Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast. For more information about the disease refer to the Admissions section of the CTC website.

NOTE The exceptions to the bacterial meningitis vaccination DO NOT APPLY TO STUDENTS RESIDING IN CAMPUS HOUSING.