The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Meningitis Compliance Committee formed after audit

Required students who do not receive the vaccination will be dropped 10 days prior to the first day of class.

A random sampling by auditors determined four students did not meet state compliance for the meningitis vaccination, which is required through Texas Senate Bill 1107.

Laura Pantano, assistant vice president of student engagement and success, told University leaders at a President’s Leadership Council meeting Feb. 24 that two students were “late admission” who were accepted after the registration deadline. She added that she did not know how the other two students were admitted without proof of vaccination.

In a Feb. 29 email, Pantano said 30 students were sampled by auditors. Students’ names were selected based on an enrollment list through the Registrar’s office.

Pantano said she does not know the outcome of the sampling because the auditors have not submitted a final report yet.

A Meningitis Compliance Committee was formed to make recommendations to ensure the University is in compliance. The recommendations will go to executive cabinet for approval in the next couple of weeks.

Pantano said the committee will serve to inform the executive cabinet of the processes to ensure the University meets compliance in the future.

Those on the committee: Cesar Garcia-Hernandez of enrollment management; Jennifer Zamarripa, director of admissions and registrar; Patricia Hayes, director of business services; Margarita Vasquez, director of enrollment services; and Pantano.

Who needs a meningitis vaccination?

According to the University website, SB 1107 was passed and signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry and requires all students under age 30 entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester. The bill went into effect Jan. 1.

Entering students who require the vaccination include students who have taken a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester and transfer students.

This requirement does not include students who are enrolled only in online courses or other distance education courses and students who are 30 years of age or older.

Evidence of vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester.

Important Dates

• Summer I classes begin June 4. Required students should receive the vaccination prior to May 25 to enroll in face-to-face classes.

• Fall 2012 classes begin August 29. Required students must have received the vaccination by August 19.

Meningitis Compliance Committee recommendations

Pantano said a hold will be put on student accounts who do not have the vaccination.

Students without the vaccination will be dropped from enrolled courses 10 days prior to the first day of the semester if the student has not provided the proper forms.

Pantano said this is for security reasons; to make sure students don’t get through without the vaccination and proper documentation.

For students who are admitted after the 10-day deadline and cannot prove they’ve receive the vaccination, Pantano said those students will only be able to register for online classes.

For students who are  admitted after the 10-day deadline and can prove they’ve received the vaccination, Pantano said those students can request an extension by filling out an extension form.

Once a student has received the vaccination and submitted proper documentation, Pantano said the student will be able to register or re-register for classes and attend classes immediately. The student will not have to wait 10 days before attending classes.

Pantano added that the University accepts students until the census date, which is 12 days after the first day of classes, not including weekends.

Therefore, Pantano warned faculty that if a student is held back because of the vaccination, it would only be for about two weeks.

Evidence can be submitted in one of four formats:

1. Fill out an Evidence of Vaccination against Bacterial Meningitis Form to obtain a vaccination somewhere other than a personal physicians office.

2. A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

3. An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

4. An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

All new and former students that meet the criteria of the bill are required to submit documentation through Magnus Health Student Medical Record to fulfill the requirement.

Decline the vaccination

The University website also states that to decline the vaccination, evidence must be submitted in one of the following two formats:

1. 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.

2. 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 and can be requested here – Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Please allow several weeks for delivery.

For more information, visit the University website or call the office of student engagement and success at 210-932-6206.

About the Author

Melody Mendoza
Melody Mendoza is the Comunidad Editor for The Mesquite. Previously, she reported on the development of the year-old Main Campus Building and Brooks City-Base Campus, and has followed Texas A&M-San Antonio's growth through its plans for two new buildings. Melody is a communication-journalism major, serves on the Student Media Board and is a freelance reporter and part-time editorial assistant for the San Antonio Express-News. She is a 2008 East Central High School graduate, an award-winning reporter for The Ranger (San Antonio College's student newspaper), and a youth leader at her church.

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