Meningitis Vaccinations

TCC is currently offering classes predominately online. This vaccination is not required unless you are taking a class that meets in person.

Requirements

The Texas Senate Bill 1107, as amended by Senate Bill 62, requires all new TCC students who are under the age of 22 and who enroll after January 1, 2014, to submit evidence of being immunized against meningococcal meningitis.

The meningitis vaccination (MV) requirement applies to:

• All first-time freshmen
• All new transfer students
• All returning TCC students who have experienced a break in TCC enrollment of at least one fall or spring term
• New and returning non-credit students enrolled in programs with at least 360 contact hours (See table for list of programs)

Deadlines

An MV record administered within the five-year period immediately preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first semester enrolled or re-enrolled must be submitted to your campus's Admissions and Registrar Office.

Required MV Documentation

At least one of the following must be submitted to the Admissions and Registrar Office:

1. Certification from a physician, clinic, or pharmacy that you have been vaccinated during the five-year period immediately preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of class.
2. An immunization record from either a state or local health authority, or an official record received from school officials (must be within 5 years).
3. A completed, signed and dated copy of TCC's Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form (PDF)Listen.

Ways to Submit Your Documentation

• Via WebAdvisor:
  • Select Meningitis Record Submission from the Prepare to Register menu
• By taking a photo or scan of the documentation and using your student my.tccd.edu e-mail account to send it to one of the following e-mail addresses:
  • TCC Northeast: northeast.registrar@tccd.edu
  • TCC Northwest: northwest.registrar@tccd.edu
  • TCC South: south.registrar@tccd.edu
  • TCC Southeast: southeast.registrar@tccd.edu
  • TCC Trinity River: trinity.registrar@tccd.edu

The information will be maintained in the Admissions and Records Office in accordance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations.

Note: If you fail to submit required MV documents, you will be restricted from registering for classes.

Extensions

Under justifiable circumstances, the Admissions and Registrar Office may grant an extension of the compliance date to no more than 10 days after the first day of the semester.

Limited Exceptions/Exemptions

If you meet any of the following criteria, you are not required to submit an MV.

If you're:

• 22 years old and older.
• Taking only Distance Learning (DL) courses. TCC's WebAdvisor registration system will electronically exempt the MV requirement and allow enrollment in DL courses.
• A non-credit student enrolled in a course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or in non-credit corporate training.
• Enrolled in a dual credit course that is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a TCC campus.
• Given a signed affidavit or certificate from a physician stating the vaccination would be injurious to your health.
• Given a signed affidavit stating you decline the MV for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. 
  • You must submit the Exemption from Meningococcal Vaccination Requirements for Reasons of Conscience form from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Incarcerated in a Texas prison.

Vaccination Location Options

Primary care physicians normally offer the meningitis vaccine. The price of the vaccine depends on your insurance coverage and your physician's practice. Some insurance plans require a co-payment for preventive vaccinations; others may cover the full cost.

The Tarrant County Public Health Department (TCPHD) also offers meningitis vaccinations for patients when their supplies allow. Before you go, please contact Tarrant County Clinical Services: Immunizations for information about the availability and cost of their vaccines.

Bagsby-Williams Public Health Center
3212 Miller Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76119-1948
817-531-6738

La Gran Plaza Mall Public Health Center
4200 S. Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76115-1400
817-920-5752

Northwest Public Health Center
3800 Adam Grubb Road, Lake Worth, TX 76135-3506
817-238-4441

Southeast Public Health Center
536 W. Randol Mill Road, Arlington, TX 76011-5738
817-321-4716

Southwest Public Health Center
6551 Granbury Road, Fort Worth, TX 76133-4926
817-370-4530

Tarrant County Public Health Main Campus
1101 S. Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104
817-321-4700

Watauga Public Health Center
6601 Watauga Road, Suite 122, Watauga, TX 76148
817-321-4740

Area health care clinics and pharmacies may also offer the vaccine.

More Information About Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord—also called the meninges. More information about the causes, symptoms, types, risks, and seriousness, as well as ways to prevent meningococcal meningitis are available through the following links (All links will open in a new window):

• Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirements from Texas Health and Human Services
• Bacterial Meningitis Causes, Symptoms and Vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• TCC Health Services
• TCC Admissions and Registrar Office

Non-Credit Programs with at least 360 Contact Hours

Updated October 28, 2020