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Medical Services

Immunizations, Injections and Testing

West Texas A&M University will require incoming freshmen who will be residing in the residential halls and new transfer students to receive the Meningitis Vaccine prior to moving into the residential halls beginning January 1, 2010. WTAMU does not require students to show proof of any other immunizations to attend the University. However, the staff of Student Medical Services strongly recommends that all students be current on certain immunizations. If you are 18 years of age or younger and do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover vaccinations, there is a Texas Vaccine for Children Program through West Texas A&M University that will allow you to receive the meningitis  vaccine or the HPV vaccine for $10.

  • Hepatitis A Recommended for all college students. Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. $27.00 each, series of two vaccines.
  • Hepatitis B Recommended for all students, required for several majors (nursing, communication disorders, athletic training). Series of 3 immunizations administered over a 6-month period. Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. You can become infected directly through blood or body fluids, or indirectly through contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with the virus. $27.00 each, series of three vaccines.
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (Gardasil) Females only. The HPV Vaccine is a total of $130.00 per dose - a series of 3 doses. There is a patient assistance program for students with no insurance or if their insurance does not cover the vaccine. If approved, the student can receive the vaccine at no charge. Gardasil is a preventive vaccine against HPV subtypes 6, 11, 16 and 18, which are linked to cervical cancer and genital warts.
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)  Most commonly children receive MMR (Measles, Mumps Rubella) as one immunization.  If MMR was received must have had 2 doses, at least 30 days apart, after age 1. (Not available at SMS)
  • Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4) (Meningitis) Required for all incoming freshmen moving into the residence halls or transfer students beginning January 1, 2010. One immunization.  Meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that can affect either the brain or spinal cord or infect the blood.  Permanent brain damage, hearing loss, kidney failure or death can result from this infection.  Certain groups of people are most at risk for this infection. College freshmen that live in residence halls are one of the susceptible groups.  The bacteria are spread through direct contact and through air droplets. Symptoms of the disease are often mistaken for the flu – high fever, rash, neck stiffness, headache, nausea and vomiting.  There is a vaccine available which is 80% effective at preventing the 4 types of bacteria that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. Immunity develops within 7-10 days of receiving the vaccine.  Cost is $90 or $10 if the student is eligible for teh VFCP (Vaccine for Childern Program).
  • Polio (IPV) 3-4 doses in early childhood. (Not available at SMS)
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) One dose within the last 10 years. Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis are serious, sometimes fatal, diseases. $40.00
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) 2 doses, one month apart only for students with no history of chickenpox. (Not available at SMS)

Other services offered include:

  • Allergy Injections: Students who receive allergy injection medication through their private allergy specialist may get their injections at the Student Health center for $20 plus $5 for each additional vial for the fall or spring semester or $10 plus $5 for each additional vial for the Summer I or Summer II semester.  The student is required to wait an additional 15 minutes minimum after receiving the injection to monitor the student for adverse reactions to the injection.  Severe reactions to the medication can occur even after years of receiving the same allergy injections.  This is for the patient's protection.
  • STD and Pregnancy Testing
  • TB Testing: Individuals at risk of exposure to tuberculosis such as those born, living, or traveling extensively outside of the United States, those working, volunteering, or living in a health care environment, the inner city, homeless shelters, etc. or having exposure to individuals with TB are advised to have an intradermal TB skin test prior to or upon admission to WTAMU. TB testing is $5.  No TB testing on Thursdays.  Students must return to the Medical Center 48 to 72 hours after the TB test.
  • Texas Vaccine for Children Program: All students ages 17 and 18 are eligible for the Texas Vaccine for Children Program (TVFC). The cost for each TVFC vaccine is $10. No one will be turned away for inability to pay, no restriction/hold will be placed and this will not be turned over to collections for inability to pay. TVFC will offer the following vaccines under the program: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Gadasil and  Meningitis