Bacterial meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast. 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 treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities. It is important to consult a physician about the need for immunization to prevent disease.

In accordance with Texas State Law SB 62, all entering or returning students under the age of 22 as of the university’s first day of class for a particular semester must be immunized against bacterial meningitis. The immunization or a booster must have been received less than five years and at least 10 days prior to the first day of class.

Student Compliance

The following entering students must comply with this requirement unless exempted.

• All first-time students of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education, in this case St. Edward’s University. This includes dual-enrollment students regardless of where or how they are taking classes for credit from St. Edward’s University.
• All students who are transferring from any institution of higher education to St. Edward’s University.
• All students who previously attended an institution of higher education, including St. Edward’s University, and who are enrolling or re-enrolling in St. Edward's University following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester. (Students who complete a spring semester at St. Edward's University, are not enrolled for the summer at St. Edward’s University, and who return in the fall are considered “continuing students” and not included in this requirement.)

Acceptable documentation includes:

• 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 or booster dose was administered
• An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority that includes the same information as above, or
• An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state, that includes the same information as above.