Bacterial Meningitis

Acceptable Vaccinations:

• MPSV4
• MCV4
  • MenQuadfi
  • Nimenrix
• Menveo
• Menactra
• Meningococcal Conjugate
• MenACWY
• MPSV
• Mening PCV4
• Menveo-Novartis 

Non-Acceptable Vaccinations:

• Bexero
• Trumenba
• Meningococcal B 

You are exempt from the vaccination requirements if any of the following apply:

• You will be age 22 or older on the first day of the semester you are exempt.
• You only intend to enroll in Distance Education courses ONLY must submit the petition for a waiver available here - Petition to Waive Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement for Distance Education Enrollment ONLY. 
• You cannot take the vaccine because it would be injurious to your health and well-being. Provide 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.
• You decline the vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.  PLEASE NOTE: Before you will be allowed to register for classes, you must complete and submit an original, Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Vaccine Exemption Affidavit Form Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. This is the only acceptable documentation for this exemption, and this process takes a significant amount of time. TAMU-CC must receive the original document within 90 days of being notarized; uploaded, faxed or emailed copies are not acceptable.  Please mail the completed, original form to Recruitment & Admissions or you may bring it to the Islander Welcome Center (IWC).  
  • Mail: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Recruitment & Admissions, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5770, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412
  • Hand Delivery: Islander Welcome Center, Unit 5770, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas

• You should not attempt to register with Med+Proctor as a Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student before you’re admitted.
• Freshmen and transfer students are encouraged to provide documentation to Med+Proctor prior to registering for their Islander Launch orientation. 
• Contact the health center for information on where to obtain the meningitis vaccine.
• Meningitis documents must be in English. If a meningitis document is received in another language, then the document needs to be translated. A seal or stamp must be on the translated document in order to be considered an official record.
• International students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination BEFORE entering the United States.
• You must receive the bacterial meningitis vaccination at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester. The vaccination must be no more than five years old from the date you first enroll.

This information is being provided to all new 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.

*Please Note: All Med+Proctor immunization record submissions are FREE. If you are needing a quicker turnaround time, there is an expedite option for a $10 fee. This will move your submission to the front of the line/que for review. 

When submitting your documents, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on the gray button that says "No, thank you ..."

 

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Rash or purple patches on skin
• Vomiting
• Light sensitivity
• Stiff neck
• Confusion and sleepiness
• Nausea
• Lethargy
• Seizures

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 deceased)
• 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 four of the five most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. (but do not protect against all types of meningitis).
• Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years.
• The cost of the 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.

• Contact your own health care provider.
• Contact the Student Health Center at (361) 825-2601.
• Contact your local or regional Texas Department of Health office at 713-767-3000.