Bacterial meningitis vaccination

 WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE MENINGITIS VACCINATION

The State of Texas requires that students in the categories listed below either receive Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination or submit a qualifying exemption. To learn about options to be exempt from having meningitis vaccination, please see the "Exemptions" section below. 

• New HCC students who are under the age of 22. 
• Former HCC students returning after an absence of at least one fall or spring semester who are under the age of 22.
• Taking in-person or hybrid classes. 

To fulfill the enrollment requirement students can:

• Submit meningitis vaccination record
  or 
• Submit qualifying reason (exemption) for not taking meningitis vaccination. 
  
  

HOW YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE MENINGITIS VACCINATION 

Students who are required to either receive Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination or submit a qualifying exemption will have the "Meningitis" enrollment hold message "pop up" when attempting to enroll in in-person or hybrid classes.  

Below are several options to get vaccinated. 

1. Baylor College of Medicine is offering qualifying students the option to be vaccinated FOR FREE!
   • To support our prospective students, we have secured free meningitis vaccinations by appointment basis and based on supply availability through the Baylor College of Medicine - Teen Health Clinic. For summer enrollment, students can call to schedule an appointment immediately. For students planning to enroll this Fall semester, appointments will begin in June. Click the following link for detail to register: HCC + Baylor College of Medicine Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Partnership. 
     
     
2. You can get the meningococcal vaccine at most doctors' offices and private clinics, many large pharmacy chains, and some minor emergency centers or medi-clinics. Call in advance to see whether they offer the vaccine, require an appointment, and take your insurance.
   
   
3. If you have Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Plan), please contact your established healthcare provider as your first option.
   
   
4. If you are uninsured or your insurance will not cover the meningococcal vaccine:
   • If you are 18 or younger, you might qualify for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program. Call the United Way's referral helpline, by dialing 211, to find healthcare providers in your area who participate in this program.
   • Many Texas city/county health departments offer free or low-cost meningococcal vaccine as part of children and adult immunization programs. Call to confirm that they offer the meningococcal vaccine for someone your age and in your circumstances. These services are ONLY for those without insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of the vaccine.

You are exempt from the Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination requirement for any of the following reasons. 

• Will be 22 years old or older on the first day of class (no documentation required).
  
  
• Enrolled in one of the following course options (no documentation required).
  • Online anytime 
  • Online on a schedule
  • Dual-credit students attending a high school location 
    
    
• Cannot take the vaccine for medical reasons. You must submit a Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form and an affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States and 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.
  
  
• Decline the vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. You must complete an Exemption from Meningococcal Vaccination Requirements for Reasons of Conscience Form available online at https://co-request-jc.dshs.texas.gov/.
  
  
• Are you a dual-credit student attending a high school campus (no documentation required).
  
  

Documentation and Vaccination Submission Requirements

• Documentation must be in English.
• Vaccination record must have been received within the last five years and be administered at least 10 calendar days before the start date of the session in which you are enrolling, regardless of your actual first day of class.
• All documents must include name, HCC Student ID, and date of birth on each page you submit. 
  
  

Please complete the Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form and submit it with your exemption documentation or vaccination records one of the four ways below. 

• Through the Student Center: Upload the Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form and documents from your student checklist by clicking on the meningitis upload tab and attach the PDF files.
  
  
• By email: Complete the Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form, scan your document and attach both to an email to vaccine@hccs.edu.
  
  
• By Fax: Send the Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form and documents to 713-718-2882.
  
  
• By Mail: Send your  and documents to the address below. 
  Houston Community College
  Attention: Admissions & Records – MC 1136
  P.O. Box 667517, Houston TX 77266-7517
  
  

The vaccination must have been received within the last five years and be administered at least 10 calendar days before the start date of the session in which you are enrolling, regardless of your actual first day of class.

Meningococcal Disease (meningitis) is easily spread by direct contact, or by droplets of respiratory secretions (coughing, sneezing, kissing, and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation). Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacterium can also infect the blood. Symptoms include fever, headache, a stiff neck, and often nausea, vomiting, and mental awareness changes.

Meningitis is often lethal because people associate early symptoms with the common flu, and don’t consult a physician. However, symptoms can progress rapidly, sometimes leading to death in 24-48 hours. Following the initial symptoms, the disease can result in joint infection, pneumonia, organ system failure, and shock.

Among those who survive Meningococcal Disease, approximately 20 percent live with severe health problems and permanent disabilities, including brain damage, kidney failure, learning disabilities, hearing loss, blindness, limb damage which may require amputation, and mental retardation.

For more information, visit:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• City of Houston Health and Human Services Department