IMMUNIZATIONS

It is a smart idea to keep your immunizations up to date. For your safety and protection Health Services does recommend you follow the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) recommended Immunization Schedule for adults: 

CDC’s link: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/


Meningitis:
Meningitis is a very serious infection of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. Prevention of this deadly disease is imperative. By the Texas Jamie Schanbaum Act, students are required to show proof that they have received the meningitis vaccination or turn in the appropriate exemption form. The required vaccine is the quadrivalent Men-ACWY-CRM meningococcal vaccine. Often denoted as MCV4. Other identifiers on record may include but not be limited to MENVEO and or Menactra. This vaccine is available at Walgreens, HEB Redi-Clinics, other Convenient Care Clinics such as Texas Medical Clinics, Minute Clinics and Concentra to name a few. It should also be available at your Primary Care Physician. Insurance is accepted in some cases. Prices vary.

 

 

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement
During the last Texas legislative session, Texas Senate Bill 1107 (SB 1107) was passed and signed into law by Texas State Governor Rick Perry. Effective January 1, 2012, SB 1107 requires all students (under age 30) entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester.

OLLU Policy:

ALL (undergraduate, graduate, Ph. D, online students and weekend college) students currently enrolled or enrolling in OLLU regardless of age must submit the Meningitis Verification Form to Health Services.  

All Students are required to turn in the Meningitis Verification Form. This verification form is required from every student at OLLU, regardless of age. Be sure to attach required documentation. All documents should be mailed, faxed, emailed or hand-delivered to the Office of Health Services. Entire medical history is not required.  

Mail: Our Lady of the Lake University, Health Services,  411 S.W. 24th Street, UWAC #112; San Antonio, TX  78207
Fax: (210) 431-4091
E-mail: healthservices@lake.ollusa.edu

 

Hand Delivery: Office of Health Services, Our Lady of the Lake University, 411 S.W. 24th Street University Wellness and Activity Center #112

 

Evidence of Vaccination

Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester and must be submitted in one of the following four formats:

  1. A complete Meningitis Verification form.
  2. A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
  3. An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
  4. An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

Evidence to Decline Vaccination

Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in one of the following two formats:

  1. 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.
  2. An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used and can be requested here - Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Please allow several weeks for delivery.
  3. Students who intend to enroll in 100% online courses ONLY or who are of 30 years of age (as of today) must submit the Meningitis Verification Form. 

Important Considerations

  • You are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before arriving at school for the semester.
  • If you do not provide proper documentation your classes and account may be put on hold barring registration.
  • The bacterial meningitis vaccination must be administered by a Health Practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization.
  • Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster.
  • The bacterial meningitis vaccination is available at various clinics such as Texas Medical Clinic, Walgreens, HEB Redi clinics and your primary care physician.  Plus many other locations.  Call for pricing.
  • The cost of the bacterial meningitis vaccination may be cheaper in your home country or through your current physician.
All students must receive the bacterial meningitis vaccination at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester.  If living in the residence halls documentation is required 10 days before moving into the residence halls. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions Vaccine Exemption for Reasons of Conscience Website: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/faq_exemption.pdf

 

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Meningitis Website:  http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html


To learn more about Travel Immunization needs:

http://www.sanantonio.gov/health/Immunizations-foreigntravel.html

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

 




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