Immunization Requirements for UHV Students


Beginning January 2012, Texas State law (SB 1107) mandates that all entering college/university students under the age of 30 provide a certificate signed by a health care provider or an official immunization record verifying that the student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years prior to registration.  See related information about this requirement from the Texas Department of State Health Services web page, www.CollegeVaccineRequirements.com.

The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before the first day of the semester.

  • Summer 2013 Session: by May 24, 2013, Friday
  • Fall 2013 Session: by August 16, 2013, Friday

Submit the completed online UHV Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Record form and immunization record via email to admissions@uhv.edu, or via fax to 361-580-5500.

Students may request an exemption from the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief:

The appropriate ORIGINAL FORM must be mailed to:

Office of Admissions
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901

Students enrolled only in distance education (online) courses will never take face-to-face or ITV classes should complete the Online Classes Only Immunization Waiver Form.

The cost of the vaccine varies depending on the provider. Find out what to do if you do not have health insurance.

Full list of local health departments and districts of Texas

Attention Students!  Bring your signed UHV Billing Office form to the Twin Fountains Clinic on the Cuero Highway (108 Twin Fountains Dr) to receive the vaccine for $78.

If you are under age 30 and need the meningitis immunization, UHV wants to help!  UHV has partnered with Twin Fountains Clinic in Victoria to offer the vaccine to students at a discounted price.  Here are the details:

1.Once you have been accepted to UHV, call the Admissions Office at 361-570-4110 or email admissions@uhv.edu to notify an Admissions Analyst that you will be going to Twin Fountains to obtain your vaccination.  The Analyst will release the vaccination hold on your record so you can register for your courses.
2.Register for classes, pay your tuition and fees (if balance owed), and contact the Bursar (Billing) Office to obtain a copy of your Fall semester account receipt from your MyUHV account by calling 361-570-4833 or emailing billing@uhv.edu.
3.Go to the Twin Fountains location at 108 Twin Fountains Drive (at north Main Streeet and Cuero Highway) and present your account summary receipt for your paid or covered tuition and fees.  You will receive the vaccination for the discounted price of $78 cash, since the University is covering $40 of the cost.  This is a very good price for the vaccination.  If you choose to file an insurance claim, you will do that on your own...but keep in mind that if you have not met your deductible, filing may increase the cost of the vaccine.
IMPORTANT NOTE:  You MUST call the Admissions Office to be signed up to receive the vaccine at the $78 price, and you must register and cover your tuition and fees before receiving the vaccine.

It is important for students to complete the vaccine requirements as soon as possible before the first class day.

 

For more information, please see the FAQ section below.

FAQ Quick Links

Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Information (SB 1107)

Beginning January 2012, Texas State law (SB 1107) mandates that all entering college/university students under the age of 30 provide a certificate signed by a health care provider or an official immunization record verifying that the student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years prior to registration.

You will not be able to register for classes without providing proof of exemption for this vaccination.
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What is Bacterial Meningitis?

On the Apply Texas application (https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/html/bacterialmeningitis.html) where you completed your application for admission to UHV, the State of Texas provides information on bacterial meningitis, a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast.
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Who is required to comply with the Meningitis Vaccination Law?

  • entering students (which includes new students to an institution) under the age of 30 enrolling in public, private, or independent institutions of higher education on or after January 1, 2012
  • any students under 30 years of age who previously attended an institution of higher education before January 1, 2012, and who are re-enrolling in any institution of higher education following a break of at least one fall or spring semester
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Which students are exempt from providing proof of the vaccination?

  • students 30 years of age or older no later than 10 days prior to the beginning of the semester
  • students who are under 30 and enrolled in higher education prior to January 1, 2012 and who have not had a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester
  • students who provide:
    • 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
    • Off-campus students: an affidavit signed by you, the student, stating that you decline the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscience exemption form from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must be submitted.
    • On-campus/resident students must submit a conscience exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services
    • Students enrolled only in distance education (online) courses; will never take face-to-face or ITV classes should complete the Online Classes Only Immunization Waiver Form
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What is the time frame for the vaccine or booster?

The date of the vaccination or receipt of the booster must fall within the last five years and at least 10 days before the start of the semester. The spring semester begins January 14, 2013. The summer semester begins June 3, 2013.
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How do I get the vaccination if I haven't already received it?

If you haven’t already received the bacterial meningitis vaccination or received a booster during the five years prior to registration, you can get the vaccination through your local health care provider, the local health department or various other locations within your community (e.g. CVS, Walgreens, etc.).  Costs vary widely, and the amounts shown below are estimates only.

Full Service Local Health Departments and districts of Texas List

Vaccination Providers In Victoria:

  • Walgreens: $133.99
  • CVS: $78.00
  • HEB/HEB Plus: $132.99
Vaccination Providers In the Houston Area:
  • Health & Wellness Clinic (Katy): $200 plus $105 office visit
  • Family Clinic (Sugar Land): $150 plus $75 office visit
  • Sugar Land Med-Ped Clinic: $164 by appointment only
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What if I do not have medical insurance?

Students should check with local health departments and clinics to see what options are available for those who cannot afford the vaccine, or you can call 2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas health and Human Services Commission that is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need.

Victoria Public Health Clinics:
  • Victoria Public Health Clinic, 2805 N. Navarro. 361-578-6281
Harris County Health Centers:
  • Antoine Clinic, 5815 Antoine, Houston, TX. 713-602-3300
  • Baytown Clinic, 1000 Lee Dr. Baytown, TX. 281-427-5195
  • Humble Clinic, 1730 Humble Place, Humble, TX. 281-446-4222
  • Southeast Clinic, 3737 Red Bluff, Pasadena, TX. 713-740-5000
Full list of local health departments and districts of Texas
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What is considered an acceptable meningitis vaccine?

The Meningitis vaccination recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (MCV4 and MPSV4) offers protection for Meningitis groups A, C, Y and W-135. The MCV4 and MPSV4 are the only vaccines currently accepted. Please visit the CDC website for additional information.

The Texas Department of State Health Services agrees with the CDC recommendations.

The American College Health Association Immunization Guidelines agrees with the CDC recommendation.
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What are the two kinds of meningococcal vaccine in the U.S.?

The U.S. provides 2 types of vaccines: MCV4 and MPSV4. Both vaccines can prevent 4 types of meningococcal disease, including 2 of the 3 types most common in the United States and a type that causes epidemics in Africa.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) was licensed in 2005. It is the preferred vaccine for people 2 through 55 years of age.

Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) has been available since the 1970s. It may be used if MCV4 is not available, and is the only meningococcal vaccine licensed for people older than 55.
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What if I don't remember whether or not I've had the vaccine?

If you are unsure whether or not you have had the vaccine, please contact a health care provider to determine what you should do.
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What are the acceptable forms of documentation I will need to submit?

  • The University of Houston-Victoria bacterial meningitis immunization form
  • a document showing that you have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination that includes the signature or stamp of a physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel
  • an official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority
  • an official record received from school officials, including a record from another state

All documentation must include the month, date, and year that the vaccine or booster dose was administered. You may want to get several copies of the documentation so that you can provide it now, and will have copies for later if you stop out for a semester, or transfer to a another institution.
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What are the common reasons UHV would not accept my documentation for bacterial meningitis?

The most common reasons that student documentation may not be accepted and have to be resubmitted include

  • Record is not legible – the copy is not clear, important information is cut-off
  • Documentation is not recognized – many doctors will use their own form of abbreviation or documentation that cannot be deciphered.
  • Incomplete dates – dates must include the month, day, and year.
  • Invalid vaccine – documentation submitted does not include the bacterial meningitis vaccine or are for an unacceptable vaccine.
Examples of acceptable vaccines and documentation include
  • Meningococcal A, C, Y & W-135
  • Meningococcal A,C,Y, & W
  • MCV4
  • Meningococcal Conjugate
  • Menactra
  • Menveo
  • MCSV4
  • Meningococcal Polysaccharide
  • Menomune
  • Meningococcal (if vaccine was given in the United States)
  • Meningitis (if vaccine was given in the United States)
  • MCV (if vaccine was given in the United States)
  • MNG (if vaccine was given in the United States)
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If I am enrolled in an online program but I plan to take a couple of face-to-face or ITV classes, do I have to comply with the law?

As long as you intend to attend face-to-face or ITV classes at any teaching location, you are required to present evidence of vaccination or an exemption.
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How much time do I have to comply with the vaccination requirements?

  • New students should obtain the required vaccination or booster and documentation after submitting an application to UHV.
  • Returning students who have been out for more than one long (Fall or Spring) semester or more should obtain the required vaccination or booster and documentation before they plan to register for the semester.
Proof of vaccination is not required to be accepted to UHV, but proof is required to register for classes.
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What happens if I don't provide the necessary documentation?

  • You will not be able to register for classes until the proper medical documentation is received.
  • You will not be able to move into university residential housing until the proper medical documentation is received.
  • A registration hold will be placed on your myUHV account, and a "pending" item will remain on your student checklist until you have provided the appropriate documentation.
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Where do I send the required documentation?

Submit the completed online University of Houston-Victoria Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Record form. and required documentation via email to admissions@uhv.edu or via fax to 361-580-5500.

THECB Affidavit of Exemption from Immunization for Bacterial Meningitis for Reasons of Conscience Form from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must be mailed to:

Office of Admissions
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901


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Who do I call if I still have questions?

Please direct your questions to the Office of Admissions at 361-570-4110 (Victoria area) or toll free 1-877-970-4848 ext. 110 (outside Victoria)
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