Now that school is out and graduation is past, many parents are making last-minute preparations to send their new graduates off to one of many colleges, universities, or technical schools. In the rush to take care of all the mountain of paperwork, and the myriad other items of importance, it is also very important to remember that most incoming college freshmen will require some immunizations before they register for classes.
It is a new requirement of the Texas Legislature (Senate Bill 1107, 82nd Legislature) that all entering college students for the Fall 2012 semester must have proof of having received the meningitis vaccine (MCV4) or a booster dose during the five-year period before enrolling. They must get the vaccine at least 10 days before the semester begins, and at some schools, students will not be allowed to register for classes until they have received the vaccine.
Bacterial Meningitis is a very serious acute disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. The disease is spread through contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected person, and the incubation period averages 3-4 days with a range of 2-10 days. The disease can spread very quickly and can kill the infected person within as little as 24 hours. People who survive meningitis can lose limbs, be left deaf or blind, and can experience neurological deficits.
You need the vaccine if you are:
A first-time student of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education.
- A transfer student
- A student who previously attended an institution of higher education before January 1, 2012 who is enrolling again following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester.
The following students are exempt from the vaccine requirement:
A student 30 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester
- A student enrolled only in online or other distance education courses
- A student enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing education corporate training
- A student enrolled in a dual credit course which is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a higher education institution campus
- A student incarcerated in a Texas prison
Students with private insurance can get the vaccine from their private health-care provider. Some retail pharmacies also provide the vaccine. Students 18 years of age and younger who do not have private insurance can check with their provider or the local health department to see if they are eligible to receive the vaccine through the Texas Vaccines for Children program. If they are eligible for the free vaccine, there will only be a nominal administration charge. At least one of the following eligibility criteria must be met in order for the child to qualify for the TVFC program:
The child is Medicaid eligible
- The child has no health insurance coverage
- The child is Alaskan Native or American Indian
- The child is underinsured:
v The child has private health insurance, but coverage does not include vaccines, or
v The child has private insurance which covers only selected vaccines (TVFC will provide only vaccines that are not covered by private insurance) or,
v The child has private insurance which caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount. Once that coverage amount is reached, the child is categorized as underinsured.
The child is enrolled in CHIP.
The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department strongly urges anyone who is planning on entering an institution of higher learning this fall to get the meningitis vaccine as soon as possible. If you have private insurance, but do not know if it pays for vaccines, call the customer service number for your insurance company. They will be able to answer your questions about vaccine coverage. Students should also check with the school they will be attending. Some colleges and universities offer the vaccine through their student health clinics.
For any other questions about Texas Vaccines for Children, please call the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department at 325/646-0554.
Pictured above is a patient during a previous immunization clinic.
