Pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 1107 (found here), beginning January 1, 2012, all Texas colleges and universities are required to collect documentation of the bacterial meningitis vaccination status for all first-time, former, and transfer students.

This requirement DOES NOT include:

· Students who are enrolled only in online courses or other distance education courses which never meet on campus

· Students who are 30 years of age or older

Students must provide one the following:

Evidence the student has received an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination or booster dose during the five-year period preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the first 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 the same or another institution.

OR

Evidence the student is declining the vaccination in one of two 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.

· An affidavit or a certificate signed by the student stating that the student declines the bacterial meningitis vaccination for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.

a)         A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used if the student is planning to live in on-campus housing.

b)         A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/DocFetch.cfm?DocID=2602&Format=PDF
must be used if the student is NOT planning to live in on-campus housing.

Steps to complete the requirement

Note: MSU uses the services of Magnus Health SMR to collect, review, and securely store all student documents pertaining to the meningitis vaccine. Magnus Health’s Student Medical Record is a web-based solution that allows the university to manage the vast number of vaccination records collected, to comply with state law.

1. After a student’s application for admission to MSU has been processed, MSU will send notification to Magnus Health SMR. Within 48 hours of Magnus Health receiving notification, the student will receive an email containing a username and a temporary password.

2. Once a student logs in to his/her Magnus account, he/she will be able to download forms for proof of vaccination or exemption. Detailed instructions on how to submit the required documentation are available via a 60-second, introductory video.

3. Following the instruction provided in the email a student using his/her Mustangs ID number will be able to log into Midwestern State University’s WebWorld and using the user name and password (from Magnus) log into their Magnus Health account at https://secure.magnushealthportal.com/.

Students WILL NOT be able to register for class until this new requirement has been completed. The vaccine must be administered within the past five years and at least 10 days before the first day of classes.

If you have not already received the meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine, it is important that you contact your primary care provider or your local public health clinic to determine availability of the vaccination. Some public health departments may offer the vaccine on a sliding scale basis, depending on your income level. The vaccine is offered at the Vinson Health Center, located on the MSU campus. These offices may have limited vaccination times, so be sure to call ahead. Midwestern State University is not responsible for the cost of the vaccination or booster.

Information about Meningitis
Click Link to Arrive at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Frequently Asked Questions