Bacterial Meningitis Requirement-Texas Students
New and returning students attending CTC in Texas must show evidence of receipt of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination dose or booster during the five-year period 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, or (5) student is incarcerated in a Texas prison, or (6) student is a member of the U.S. military on active duty.
Students can obtain a medical exemption or a conscientious exemption. 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; and
- Provides evidence of submitting a conscientious objection form through a secure Internet-based process developed and implemented by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
The exception noted in the second and third bullet does not apply during a disaster or public health emergency, terrorist attack, hostile military or paramilitary action, or extraordinary law enforcement emergency declared by an appropriate official or authority from the Texas Department of State Health Services and is in effect for the location of the institution the student attends.
Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast. For more information about the disease refer to the Admission section of the CTC website.
CTC uses Med+Proctor a healthcare technology company that provides immunization verification. Refer to the CTC webpage “Apply for Admissions” which provides step-by-step instructions for submitting the bacterial meningitis immunization record or exemption request; or email admissions@ctcd.edu.
NOTE The exceptions to the bacterial meningitis vaccination DO NOT APPLY TO STUDENTS RESIDING IN CAMPUS HOUSING.