The Austin Community College District is calling for students affected by the state’s new meningitis immunization requirement to get the vaccine or exemption documentation as soon as possible, in order to avoid enrollment delays.
State law requires all new students entering a Texas college or university beginning in January 2012 to provide proof of immunization for bacterial meningitis at least 10 days before classes start. The requirement does not apply to students who are 30 years of age or older by the first class day.
“This is a big change for new and prospective students, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure the implementation of the law goes smoothly at ACC,” says Dr. Kathleen Christensen, vice president of student support and success systems.
ACC has selected Magnus Health SMR to manage compliance records. If declining the vaccination, the student must submit either an affidavit from a personal physician stating medical risk or an approved conscientious objection form from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
For classes beginning January 17, students must submit evidence of the vaccination or booster dose during the past five years (or approved exemption documentation) no later than January 7. Students are receiving information on how to submit their records to Magnus Health.
The college has set up an immunization information webpage for details on the state law, types of documentation, and locations to obtain the vaccination. Visit austincc.edu/apply/immunizations.
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By Mary December 7, 2011 - 11:07 am
So current ACC students are exempt … correct?
By mreyes December 7, 2011 - 11:46 am
Thanks for checking, Mary! ACC students who enrolled in fall are exempt from the law. It affects current students only after they transfer to another college or leave ACC for a fall or spring semester. See the meningitis information page for information.
By Jorge Martinez December 7, 2011 - 4:10 pm
I need to be sure before I take the step and get vaccinated. I will be transferring to Texas State University in the Spring 2012, but I will be taking one class at ACC, so will I be required to get vaccinated? If so, you where can I go? and are they free?
Thanks,
By mreyes December 7, 2011 - 4:21 pm
Jorge, we’re glad you’re here. If you are under 30, the meningitis immunization law affects you. That means you must obtain or decline the immunization in order to attend both ACC and Texas State. Good news is both institutions have partnered with Magnus Health SMR to verify documents, so you will need to submit the documents only once. As far as free vaccinations, the county health departments are giving low-cost vaccinations to uninsured or underinsured students. Visit the ACC immunization page for a list of vaccination locations, information on the new law, and instructions on submitting your documents.
By laura December 8, 2011 - 12:20 pm
I have been an employee and student here since 2009, but did not take classes in the fall of 2011, do I still need the immunization?
By mreyes December 8, 2011 - 12:23 pm
Yes, if you are under 30! Find out what you need at the immunization information page.
By Helenna December 8, 2011 - 1:24 pm
So if I am a current student but I have registered for the spring semester at ACC, am I still exempt?
By mreyes December 8, 2011 - 3:41 pm
Helenna, as a current student, you are exempt unless you transfer to another college or leave ACC for a spring or fall semester.
By Diego Cruz December 9, 2011 - 5:54 pm
Is meningitis are the rise at ACC or just in general? Does anyone know of any cases @ ACC-NRG?
By mreyes December 9, 2011 - 6:30 pm
Hi Diego, the meningitis requirement is the result of a state law, Senate Bill 1107, and not a specific health risk at ACC. The state law affects all students under 30 who are entering any public or private college or university for the first time, transferring to a different school, or returning to college after stopping out for a fall or spring semester.
By Taylor December 9, 2011 - 8:42 pm
Hello!
So i had to drop my classes about 3 weeks into the last fall semester. Am i required to get the shot?
By mreyes December 10, 2011 - 9:10 am
Hi Taylor, have you registered for spring? Magnus Health has a database of spring-enrolled students who are affected by the law. You may email their service team directly at [email protected], start a live chat, or call (877) 461.6831.
By Dustin December 10, 2011 - 2:00 am
I am very disappointed by this. What vaccine was Perry trying to require for girls to take that was later linked to negative effects. Ah thats right the HPV vaccine. The law does not apply to me since I am a returning student, but Perrys’ friendships with pharmaceuticals is getting unsafe for Texas citizens.
By mreyes December 10, 2011 - 9:22 am
Dustin, it’s important that students become aware of this new law and the severity of bacterial meningitis. Since 2009, bacterial meningitis immunization has been required of college students living in dorms. The new law simply expands the requirement to include students living off-campus.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently made a similar recommendation.
Students do have the option to decline the vaccine and submit the appropriate documents. See the immunization information page for instructions.
The Texas Tribune reported on the topic in August. See the story here.
By dcfresh December 11, 2011 - 7:47 pm
I curious to know why AE/GED students are NOT required to show proof of immunization -especially recent graduates who intend to enter ACC for the Spring semester. Please don’t cite “datatel”or “they don’t pay fees.” Really?
There are AE classes at EVC, HBC, SAC, and RIO Grande.
AE is ACC, too.
By mreyes December 12, 2011 - 8:28 am
Thank you for your question, dcfresh. Indeed, AE students are valued members of the ACC family.
Texas Senate Bill 1107 does not specify noncredit students in its meningitis immunization mandate. Followup rules drafted by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board DO specify exemption for noncredit students if they are enrolled in a noncredit course or program that is less than 360 contact hours.
While the law does not mandate immunization for all students prior to admission, any individual can choose to obtain the meningitis vaccination. See the immunization information page for information on where to obtain the vaccination.
By Alicia December 11, 2011 - 8:58 pm
I am going to begin classes the spring 2012 but I have no classes on campus, I anm taking distance learning courses. Am I still required to get vaccinated?
By mreyes December 12, 2011 - 8:16 am
Hi Alicia, the meningitis immunization requirement applies to all students except they are under 30 or attended ACC last fall. Check your ACCmail for a message from Magnus Health SMR or visit the immunization information page for instructions.
By Janice Kim January 3, 2012 - 4:11 pm
Hello. I’m confused all of the sudden. I started school from 2011 fall. So I don’t need the vaccination right?
By mreyes January 4, 2012 - 8:15 am
Janice, you are correct. Current students – those who attended ACC in fall – do not fall under the new law.
By Frances January 4, 2012 - 4:08 pm
I have taken classes at acc in the past, however I did not take a class this fall of 2001. I registered for the spring in December of 2011 and no one told me of this. Now were in January and I was told I had an open hold. Well im taking the steps to get an exxempt but this could take a while and classes are near. I have already registered and have subbmitted my tuition and fee waiver (im a foster care youth) so Im I not going to be allowed to attend class before I get this letter? I need to know asap i feel like time and effort has been waisted if this is the case.
By mreyes January 4, 2012 - 4:32 pm
Frances, it’s important that you activate your Magnus Health account as soon as possible. That will make it easier to submit the exemption form when you receive it from the state and lets the college know that you are taking the needed action. Also, keep checking your ACCmail and the ACC homepage for any updates before classes start.
By Frances January 4, 2012 - 11:49 pm
I activated it but to my understanding since I barely filled the affidavit/exemption today then I might not receive it before the deadline! So I won’t be able to receive classes this spring or maybe miss the first class? Which is pointless to me to attend a class if I have to miss the first one! This is so stressful and I wish someone could have told me way sooner before I spent all this time and energy trying to get into classes.
By taylor January 6, 2012 - 2:41 pm
Francis I had a less then 24 hr turnaround when I activated and sent in my work and I did it on the 5th of january.