Governor Rick Perry recently signed House Bill 4189 which REQUIRES that all freshman and transfer students who live in the Residence Halls submit evidence that they have been vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis. Evidence of vaccination must be presented to the STMU Student Health Center no later than October 30th, 2009. Students who do not comply will not be allowed to live in the residence halls in the spring 2010 semester.
I. the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered, along with the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel; or
II. An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority; or
III. An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state.
A student, or a parent or guardian of a student, is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis under the following circumstances:
A. The student, or a parent or guardian of a student, submits to the St. Mary's University Student Health Center:
I. 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; or
II. 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.
These exceptions do not apply during a disaster or public health emergency, terrorist attack, hostile military or paramilitary action, or extraordinary law enforcement emergency declared by an appropriate official or authority from the Texas Department of State Health Services and is in effect for the location of the institution the student attends.
The St. Mary's Student Health Center offers Menactra for $125.00. Menactra offers protection against meningococcal meningitis for 8-10 years. Menactra is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for ALL RESIDENT HALL STUDENTS. The most common side effects include redness and soreness at the injection site. Learn from Ashley Lee, an 18 year old college student, what she has to say about meningococcal meningitis. Her personal story with the disease can do more to explain the importance of this vaccine than any medical book. Ashley Lee's personal account was featured by MSNBC:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20519953/.
Please call the Student Health Center at 210-435-3506 to schedule your vaccination.