Immunizations
Due to the danger of the spread of contagious diseases in the educational environment, especially in student housing, it is highly recommended that all students take precautionary measures by keeping their inoculations current.
BACTERIAL MENINGITIS - Texas Education Code 51.9192 requires all students under the age of 22 entering an institution of higher education to provide evidence of immunization for bacterial meningitis. This includes all new students and transfer students, as well as former students who are re-enrolling after a break in enrollment.
Documentation showing that the student has received the immunization within the last five years should be provided at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester in order to register for classes. Students must submit one of the following in order to be cleared for registration:
- the signature or stamp of a physician (or his/her designee) or public health personnel on a form that shows the month, day and year the vaccination dose or booster was administered
- an official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority
- an official high school or college transcript that includes documentation of immunization provided by school officials (including records from other states)
After submitting proof of immunization, there will be a waiting period to allow for the processing of immunization information before a student will be cleared for registration.
The law does not apply to students:
- age 22 and over.
- enrolled only in Online Classes which does not include a face-to-face component.
- enrolled in Continuing Education courses or programs less than 360 contact hours or Continuing Education corporate training.
- enrolled in Dual Credit courses taught at a public or private K-12 facility.
- who submit 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.
- who submit an affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including religious belief. A conscientious exemption form (“Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience”) from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used by students living in on-campus housing. The DSHS form may be ordered electronically. Allow several weeks to submit and have form approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Students NOT living in on-campus housing may use the official Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Affidavit Form. Students must print the form, have it notarized, and file it with the Office of Admissions and Records.
VC students who are required to have the vaccination will not be allowed to register until they provide proof of immunization to the Office of Admissions and Records.
All Vernon College Residence Hall occupants are required to have the Bacterial Meningitis vaccination.
More information about Bacterial Meningitis is available on the Vernon College Website.
MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA - According to the Texas Department of Health, those individuals born in 1957 or later may not have been properly immunized. The single dose immunization which many received was inadequate. The classroom setting increases the chance of exposure. A student born after January 1, 1957, should see a doctor or visit a public health clinic for proper immunization against measles (two doses of measles vaccine administered on or after the first birthday and at least 30 days apart), rubella (one dose of rubella vaccine on or after the first birthday), and mumps (one dose of mumps vaccine on or after the first birthday).
TETANUS - The tetanus vaccine is effective for about 10 years and should be boosted at 10-year intervals in combination with the diphtheria vaccine.