This document is subject to change based on DCCCD policies and procedures.

Requirements

The Texas Education Code, § 51.9192, subchapter Z, establishes the requirement for bacterial meningitis
vaccination for DCCCD students under the age of 30 to submit evidence of being immunized against
meningococcal meningitis.

The meningitis vaccination requirement applies to:

• All first time credit students
• All new transfer credit students
• All returning DCCCD students who have experienced a break in DCCCD enrollment of at least
  one fall or spring semester
• New and returning continuing education students enrolled in programs that are at least 360
  contact hours or greater
• Distance education students who live in Texas (based on actual mailing address. A Post Office
  box cannot be used as proof of residency)
• Dual Credit, Middle College, Early College, and Charter High School students attending classes
  located on a DCCCD campus
• Continuing Education students enrolled in a concurrent credit course(s)

1. Certification from a physician or clinic that the student has been vaccinated during the 5-year
   period immediately preceding and prior to registration.
2. An immunization record from a state or local health authority or an official record received from
   school officials, including a record from another state (must be within 5 years).
3. A completed, signed and dated copy of DCCCD's Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form.

1. Students who are 30 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester in which you enroll.
2. Distance education students who are not in state or country (based on actual mailing address. A
   Post Office Box cannot be used a proof of residency).
3. Students enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contract
   hours or in continuing education corporate training.
4. Students enrolled in a dual credit course which is taught at a public or private k-12 facility not
   located on a DCCCD campus.
5. DCCCD student incarcerated in a Texas prison.

1. An affidavit or certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice
   medicine in the United States, stating in the physician's opinion, the vaccination would be
   injurious to the health and well-being of the student;

or

2. An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for reasons
   of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas
   Department of State Health Services (DSHS) must be used.

This information is being provided to all college students in the state of Texas. Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast - so take utmost caution. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that cause meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among college students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.

There may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body.

The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.

• Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.

• The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions.

• Exposure to saliva by sharing cigarettes, water bottles, eating utensils, food, kissing, etc.
• Living in close conditions (such as sharing a room/suite in a dorm or group home).

• Death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead)
• Permanent brain damage
• Kidney failure
• Learning disability
• Hearing loss, blindness
• Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) that requires amputation
• Gangrene
• Coma
• Convulsions

• Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives and chances of recovery are increased. However, permanent disability or death can still occur.
• Vaccinations are available and should be considered for:
  • Those living in close quarters
  • College students 25 years old or younger
• Vaccinations are effective against 4 of the 5 most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. (but does not protect against all types of meningitis).
• Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years.
• The cost of vaccine varies, so check with your health care provider.
• Vaccination is very safe - most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up to two days.
• Vaccination is available at Dallas County Health Department, phone 214-819-2000. For more information, visit the Dallas County Health Department Web site at http://www.dallascounty.org/department/hhservices/hhs_intro.html.

• Contact your own health care provider.
• Contact your Student Health Center at:

  Brookhaven Cedar Valley Eastfield El Centro Mountain View North Lake Richland

  972-860-4195 972-860-8277 972-860-7190 214-860-2113 972-860-8699 972-273-3170 972-238-6135

• Contact your local or regional Texas Department of State Health Services at 817-264-4551. For more information, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Web page at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/.
• Contact the following Web sites: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo;
  www.acha.org