Vaccinations for College

Vaccine Requirements for Students Preparing to Enter College

Passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1107, 82nd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, requires all entering students at Texas institutions of higher education (college or university) to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis within the last five years and at least 10 days prior to the first day of class.

Students under 19 years of age may be eligible for a low-cost vaccine through the Texas Vaccines for Children Program (TVFC). Parents should contact their child's doctor for more information about the TVFC program. Children are usually eligible for TVFC if they are:

• Enrolled in Medicaid
• Enrolled in CHIP 
• Uninsured
• American Indian or Alaskan Native
• Under-insured, meeting the following criteria:

1. A child whose health insurance does not cover vaccines;
2. A child whose insurance covers only selected vaccines (TVFC eligible for non-covered vaccines only); or
3. A child whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount.

Students may request an affidavit for exemption for reasons of conscience or religious reasons through the link https://corequest.dshs.texas.gov/. It is the student's responsibility to have the affidavit notarized and to submit it to the appropriate agent at the college or university they plan to attend.

RELATED LINKS:

More information about meningococcal disease may be accessed in English at Meningococcal Disease FAQ or in Spanish at Meningococcal Disease FAQ (Spanish).