Vaccination Requirement

Per Texas Senate Bill no. 62, beginning January 1, 2012, all entering Texas college students, under the age of 22, must receive a vaccination or booster (if the vaccination is five years old) against bacterial meningitis before enrollment. Acceptable forms of the vaccination include Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY), Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines (MCV) or Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (MPSV4). The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) notes the vaccination with the MenB vaccine should not replace the vaccination with MENACWY. Therefore, it does not constitute as a replacement for the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) and does not fulfill the vaccination requirement.

Before you can attend classes you must submit:

1. A completed Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine Requirement Form (PDF)
2. Proof of immunization or the Affidavit for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Initiate your request to TDSHS well before your intended orientation date. It may take several weeks to receive your form during peak times. Only original copies of Affidavits are accepted.

Evidence of vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received during the five year period prior to and no later than 10 days before the first day of the term.  Failure to receive vaccination by the dates below will prevent you from attending classes for the term.

If you are attending:

Entering Spring 2021 – Meningitis vaccine must be taken between 01/09/2016 and 01/09/2021

Entering Fall 2020 – Meningitis vaccine must be taken between 08/07/2015 and 08/07/2020

Important Updated Information Regarding Spring 2021 Term

At this time, state legislation related to the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination requirement has not been amended in response to COVID -19.

• Students enrolling in any courses that are conducted on campus, must still meet this requirement.  Students failing to receive and/or submit the vaccination by January 9, 2021 will be withdrawn from the spring term.  Documentation must be submitted by the end of business day, January 9, 2021. 
• Students participating courses asynchronously, please email records@utdallas.edu from the UTD issued email address by January 9, 2021, so we may update your record to waive you from the requirement.
• Students enrolling in all remote or online courses will be waived from this requirement.  No action is necessary. 

What is acceptable evidence of vaccination?

Documentation must be in English, state the name and other information sufficient to identify the individual who received the required vaccination, state the month, date and year the vaccine was administered.

1. A statement provided by physician or other health care provider authorized by law to administer the vaccine. The statement must include the name, address, signature or stamp, state of licensure and license number of the physician or other healthcare provider who administered the required vaccination; or of the public health official who administered the vaccination.
2. An official immunization record generated from the state or local health authority
3. An official record received directly from a Texas school official, or a school official in another state.

Where do I submit the paperwork?

To submit the requirement form and supporting documents, follow the instructions below:

1. Log in to galaxy.utdallas.edu
2. Click on “Admissions Form Folder”, Vaccination Requirement – Bacterial Meningitis
3. Click on “Meningitis Vaccine Submission”
4. Enter your name, UTD ID and Date of Birth on the form
5. Attach the form and supporting documents
6. Verify the information
7. Enter your netID
8. Click “Submit” button

The other option is to mail it to the following address:

The University of Texas at Dallas The Office of the Registrar, SSB13 800 West Campbell Rd Richardson, TX 75080-3021

Do I have to get the meningitis vaccination?

• Entering students 22 years of age or older by the first day of class for the semester are exempt.
• Students taking online classes only should submit an Online Enrollment Only Exemption Request form (PDF)
• If your physician recommends that for health reasons the student not receive the immunization, the student should submit a Vaccine Requirement Form (PDF) and submit a note from the physician. The signed note should be on either office letterhead or on prescription paper.
• If for reasons of conscience, including religious belief you are declining the vaccination, students should submit a completed Vaccine Requirement Form (PDF) and an Affidavit from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Initiate your request to TDSHS well before your intended orientation date. It may take several weeks to receive your form during peak times.

About Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacterium that causes meningitis can also infect the blood. For more information, please review “What You Need to Know About Meningitis" (PDF).

Vaccination Locations

• Collin County
• Dallas County
• Denton County
• Tarrant County
• UT Dallas Student Health Center
• Any healthcare provider, clinic or pharmacy

Questions? Email: records@utdallas.edu