Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement During the last Texas legislative session, Texas Senate Bill 1107 (SB 1107) was passed and signed into law by Texas State Governor Rick Perry. Effective January 1, 2012, SB 1107 requires all students (under age 30) entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Canyon/Amarillo area. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at (806)651-2020 or admissions@wtamu.edu. Evidence of Vaccination Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester and must be submitted in one of the following four formats (NOTE: West Texas A&M University requires proof of meningitis compliance prior to registering for classes):
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A complete Meningitis Immunization Record Form. Use this form if you plan to obtain your vaccination somewhere other than your personal physician's office. ATTENTION: International students should use the International Student Meningitis Immunization Reord Form.
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A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered). -
An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered). -
An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered). Evidence to Decline Vaccination Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in one of the following formats: -
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. Or submission of the completed Meningitis Medical Exemption Form
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An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. Students living on campus: A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used and can be requested here - Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Please allow several weeks for delivery. Students NOT living on campus: May complete the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Affidavit and submit the original notarized document to the Office of Admissions. NOTE: Students must be 18 years of age or older to submit this form. Students under the age of 18 must use the affidavit above. -
Students who intend to enroll in Distance Education courses (or online only) must submit the petition for a waiver available here - Petition to Waive Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement for ALL Online.
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Students over the age of 30 may submit a completed Meningitis Vaccination Waiver-Over 30 Form Important Considerations -
You are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Canyon/Amarillo area -
You will not be allowed to register for classes until you provide proof of vaccination. For freshmen and transfer students, registration is during New Student Orientation (NSO); therefore, you should provide the documentation prior to attending your NSO. -
Students living on campus are required to have the Meningitis Vaccination at least 10 days prior to moving into the residence halls. Students will be responsible for their own housing cost and arrangements if they are not eligible to move in immediately.
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The bacterial meningitis vaccination must be administered by a Health Practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization. -
Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster -
The bacterial meningitis vaccination is available at the WTAMU Student Medical Services and most pharmacies in the Canyon/Amarillo area. -
The cost of the bacterial meningitis vaccination may be cheaper in your home country or through your current physician. How to Submit Evidence of Vaccination or an Affidavit to Decline Vaccination All documents should be mailed, faxed, emailed or hand-delivered to the Office of Admissions. Mail: Office of Admissions, WTAMU Box 60907, Canyon, TX 79016
Phone: (806)651-2020 Fax: (806)651-5285 E-mail: admissions@wtamu.edu Hand Delivery: Office of Admissions, Old Main room 124 | 
