Meningitis Vaccinations

Who's Required to Be Vaccinated

The meningitis vaccination (MV) requirement applies to:

• All first-time freshmen
• All new transfer students
• All returning TCC students who have experienced a break in TCC enrollment of at least one fall or spring term
• New and returning continuing education students enrolled in programs with at least 360 contact hours (See table for list of programs)

Deadline to Show Proof of MV

If you're subject to this requirement, your MV record must be on file before you can register for a face-to-face class.

Submit your vaccination records online through Hello!TCC or to your campus's Admissions and Registrar Office (instructions below).

Required MV Documentation

At least one of the following must be submitted to the Admissions and Registrar Office:

1. Certification from a physician, clinic, or pharmacy that you have been vaccinated during the five-year period immediately preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of class.
2. An immunization record from either a state or local health authority, or an official record received from school officials (must be within 5 years).
3. A completed, signed and dated copy of TCC's Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form (PDF)Listen.

Submit Your MV Documentation

Submit your proof of vaccination through one of the following options:

• Via Hello!TCC:
  • Use the filter box to search for and select Meningitis Record Submission
• Via email by taking a photo or scan of the documentation and using your student my.tccd.edu e-mail account to send it to one of the following e-mail addresses:
  • TCC Northeast: northeast.registrar@tccd.edu
  • TCC Northwest: northwest.registrar@tccd.edu
  • TCC South: south.registrar@tccd.edu
  • TCC Southeast: southeast.registrar@tccd.edu
  • TCC Trinity River: trinity.registrar@tccd.edu
• In-person by bringing proof of vaccination to any campus Admissions and Registrar Office

The information will be maintained in the Admissions and Records Office in accordance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations.

Note: If you fail to submit required MV documents, you will be restricted from registering for classes.

Extensions

Under justifiable circumstances, the Admissions and Registrar Office may grant an extension of the compliance date to no more than 10 days after the first day of the semester.

Limited Exceptions/Exemptions

If you meet any of the following criteria, you are not required to submit an MV.

If you're:

• 22 years old and older.
• Taking only Distance Learning (DL) courses. TCC's registration system will electronically exempt the MV requirement and allow enrollment in DL courses.
• A continuing education student enrolled in a course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or in continuing education corporate training.
• Enrolled in a dual credit course that is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a TCC campus.
• Given a signed affidavit or certificate from a physician stating the vaccination would be injurious to your health.
• Given a signed affidavit stating you decline the MV for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. 
  • You must submit the Exemption from Meningococcal Vaccination Requirements for Reasons of Conscience form from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Use Edge browser to access the form for best experience. See Submit Your MV Documentation above for how to submit this form.
• Incarcerated in a Texas prison.

Where can I get the vaccine?

Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans provide preventative health services, including this vaccination, at no cost. Check with your primary care physician or in-network pharmacy or care clinic for availability.

Uninsured students can seek vaccination from a Tarrant County Public Health clinic. Choose a location that offer immunizations.

Continuing Education Programs Requiring MV

New and returning continuing education students enrolled in programs with at least 360 contact hours are required to provide proof of MV.

More Information About Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord—also called the meninges. More information about the causes, symptoms, types, risks, and seriousness, as well as ways to prevent meningococcal meningitis are available through the following links (All links will open in a new window):

• Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirements from Texas Health and Human Services
• Bacterial Meningitis Causes, Symptoms and Vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• TCC Health Services
• TCC Admissions and Registrar Office