Bacterial Meningitis

Determine If The Law Applies

1. Does the Bacterial Meningitis law apply to me?

2. How to comply with the law

• Submit proof of having received the bacterial meningitis vaccination within the last 5 years. OR
• Opt out of the vaccine by submitting an exemption form based on medical reasons, conscientious objection or taking only online courses.

Gather Documents

1. Acceptable proof of having received the bacterial meningitis vaccination

• A form with the signature or stamp of a physician, designee, or public health personnel with the agency name and address; which documents when (month, date, four-digit year) the vaccination or booster was administered.
• An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority.
• An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state.

2. Acceptable documentation for medical exemption

• 由在美国正式注册并获得行医执照的医生签署的证书.  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.
• 在医生的信笺上印有上述声明的信件，包括医生的签名和日期.
• Prescription notes and letters over 2 weeks old will not be accepted.

3. Acceptable documentation for taking only online courses

• Complete the Bacterial Meningitis Online Waiver in ACES
• Select the college you wish to attend.
• Waiver is for 3 weeks. 
• Form must be updated and resubmitted for each term or semester only online courses are taken.

4. Acceptable documentation for conscientious objection exemption

• The Department of State Health Services community college conscientious objection form.
• Complete the requested information.  Print the certificate.  You must use the form’s print button.  The correct exemption certificate will have a number in the upper right-hand corner. 
• the Department of State Health Services Affidavit for Exemption from Immunization.  This form must be notarized and mailed to Magnus Health, copies are not accepted.

Submit Documents

Allow 2 to 5 business days for processing

1. To submit vaccination records, or medical exemption

• Log in to ACES. Go to the Student tab.
  • Click the HOLDS link located under Academic Profile.
  • Look for the bacterial meningitis hold. You will not see the hold unless the law applies to you.
  • “BM”将表明您符合标准，并且必须在取消保留之前提交文件以允许注册.
    
    
• Under the Start Here tab, click Submit Bacterial Meningitis Forms Here link in the Bacterial Meningitis box. You will be redirected to the ACES document upload portal. Complete the process as directed.
  
  
• 你的大学招生团队将审查你的文件，如果你的文件被拒绝，他们会联系你. Your hold will be removed within two to three business days after approval.

2. To submit the conscientious objection exemption

• Log in to ACES.  Go to the Student tab.  Click the HOLDS link located under Academic Profile. Look for the bacterial meningitis hold.  You will not see the hold unless the law applies to you. “BM”将表明您符合标准，并且必须在取消保留之前提交文件以允许注册.
  
  
• Under the Start Here tab, click Submit Bacterial Meningitis Forms Here link in the Bacterial Meningitis box.  You will be redirected to the ACES document upload portal. Complete the process as directed. 
  
  
• If you are submitting the community college conscientious objection form (http://corequestjc.dshs.texas.gov/) you will upload in the same ACES portal.
  
  
• 你的大学招生团队将审查你的文件，如果你的文件被拒绝，他们会联系你. Your hold will be removed within two to three business days after approval.
  
  

3. To submit the online courses only waiver

• Under the Start Here tab, click Submit Bacterial Meningitis Forms Here link in the Bacterial Meningitis box.  You will be redirected to the ACES document upload portal. Complete the process as directed. 
  
  
• Your hold will be removed once the online course waiver affidavit is submitted.  No forms are required for this waiver.  This hold will be waived for three weeks to allow you to register; if you are not able to register within three weeks, you will need to resubmit the online course waiver. 
  
  

由于生病而被推迟的学生必须在学期开始前不迟于10天提交细菌性脑膜炎疫苗接种文件.

Use the link below for information to access ACES.
http://aces.belascoelectric.net/ 

Where to get the vaccination

Documents will no longer be submitted to any of the Alamo Colleges.

Submit documentation through your ACES student portal on the "Start Here" tab under the Bacterial Meningitis (BM) section.

疾病控制和预防中心(CDC)推荐的脑膜炎疫苗是MCV4和MPSV4，它们为脑膜炎A组提供保护, C, Y and W-135. MCV4 and MPSV4 are the only vaccines currently accepted. Please visit the CDC website for more information.

德克萨斯州卫生服务部和美国大学卫生协会免疫指南同意疾控中心的建议.

 现役军人学生需要出示接种细菌性脑膜炎疫苗的证明.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board regulations pertaining to meningitis are in 19 TAC 21.613 (vaccination requirements) and 21.614 (exceptions), which is under Title 19, Education, Chapter 21, Student Services.  The exceptions in 21.614 do not include active duty military.

·      The waivers for medical necessity, conscience exemption and taking online courses only do pertain.

 The bacterial meningitis vaccination expires five years after the date it is received. 接种时间必须在五年内，即开学第一天.

The vaccine must be in the body a minimum of 10 days before starting classes.

•  新入学的学生应在递交申请时取得所需的疫苗接种及文件*
• 回国的学生应该在注册学期之前获得所需的疫苗接种或加强接种并提交文件.

*Proof of vaccination is not required to be considered for admission. 

The hold will be removed.  Students can log onto ACES and access their student account.

The most common reasons include:

• Record is not legible – the copy is not clear or important information is cut off.
•文件不被认可——许多医生会使用他们自己的缩写形式或无法破译的文件.
• Incomplete dates – dates must include the day, month and year.
•无效疫苗——提交的文件不包括特定类型的细菌性脑膜炎疫苗，或用于不可接受的疫苗，或疫苗接种时间太长.

You will not be able to register for classes until the proper documentation is received.

The bacterial meningitis vaccine is available at most doctors’ offices and private clinics, many large pharmacy chains, and some minor emergency centers or medi-clinics.  It is best to call to make an appointment at most of these sites.

Students with medical insurance, Medicaid or CHIP: 

The first thing is to make sure your insurance covers the immunization.  Then contact your established medical provider to see if they offer the vaccine.  If you choose to go to a different facility please call to be sure they accept your insurance.

没有医疗保险或保险不包括细菌性脑膜炎疫苗的学生: 

·如果学生年龄在18岁或以下，他们可能有资格参加德克萨斯州儿童疫苗计划.  The United Way helpline, 211, will help find providers who participate in this program.

·许多卫生部门提供脑膜炎疫苗作为儿童和成人免疫计划的一部分.  你应该打电话确认他们是否提供适合学生年龄和情况的脑膜炎疫苗.  A list of “full service” city and county health departments in Texas can be found at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/lhds.shtm  

·      In San Antonio, the University Health System will provide certain vaccinations at their clinics.  Be sure to call to confirm the clinic you choose offers the bacterial meningitis vaccine.  You can get the list of clinics at http://www.universityhealthsystem.com look for the “Clinic Information” section.

Will a vaccination from my home country fulfill the Alamo Colleges requirements? 

A vaccination record from a country outside the U.S. can meet the requirements, if the vaccine given meets the CDC requirements and if the vaccination record is in English.  If the vaccination record is in a language other than English, an English translation of the document will be required.

How far in advance should I plan to arrive in the U.S. in order to receive the vaccination? 

If you plan to receive the vaccine in the U.S. you should arrive no later than 3 weeks prior to the first day of classes.  这样你就有足够的时间等待10天，并有时间处理你的文件.  You must receive the vaccination at least 10 days before the first day of classes for the semester.

我可以出示我的国家的医疗证明文件以获得因医疗原因而获得豁免吗?  

Unfortunately, the law requires that you visit a doctor in the U.S. to be able to get an exemption for medical reasons.  We suggest that you bring an English translation of your records with you, so that you can present them to a U.S. physician.  Be sure your travel arrangements will give you enough time to see a physician in the U.S. and submit your documentation to the college.

How can I get an exemption for reasons of conscience?  

You must follow the same guidelines and procedures outline for domestic students.  Please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services for more information.  http://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/default.aspx  

For information about bacterial meningitis and the vaccination, contact the CDC at: 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)