Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination

Please continue to consult our website for additional information regarding the submission of documentation to meet this requirement.

What/When

Per state legislation – SB 1107, certain college students must receive a vaccination or booster against bacterial meningitis. Students will not be able to register until proof is presented of vaccination or of a booster during the five-year period prior to enrollment, and not less than 10 days before the first day of classes.

Who

Students less than 22 years of age who meet one of one of the following:

  • New to ACC
  • Returning to ACC after a break of enrollment for one or more Fall or Spring semesters
  • Transferring for the first time to Alvin Community College
  • Dual enrollment students who are enrolled in any college course taken outside the high school campus
  • Continuing Education students who are enrolled in courses longer than 360 hours

How
Submission Methods:

Email
Scan and email - welcome@hwfj-art.com
Note: Immunization records sent via email should be sent in PDF format. Please do NOT send in an actual photo. 

In person
ACC Welcome Center 
Building A-100

Documentation Accepted

  • An Alvin Community College form may be submitted [Bacterial Meningitis Form]
  • The signature or stamp of a physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel on a form which shows the month, day, and year the vaccination dose or booster was administered
  • An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority
  • An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state

Exemptions and Waivers

  • Conscientious Objection - Students at Alvin Community College who wish to decline the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience may do so by following the instructions below:
  • Online Courses only - Students who wish to enroll only in online courses may obtain a temporary waiver for the current term by contacting the ACC Welcome Center by phone (281-756-3531), in person, or by email welcome@hwfj-art.com. Students will be allowed to self-register after the waiver has been entered.
  • Students 22 and over - who are 22 years of age or older are exempt
  • Physicians Waiver - Students who present an affidavit signed by a licensed physician stating that the vaccination would be injurious to the health or well-being of the student are temporarily waived for one term as per the physician's directive. Students may request this waiver by presenting the signed affidavit to the ACC Welcome Center.

 

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 annually, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among college students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive might develop severe health problems or disabilities.

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. Symptoms can occur anywhere on the body. The more symptoms, the higher the risk; seek attention immediately.

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)
  • 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. Vaccinations are available and should be considered for:

  • Those living in close quarters
  • College students under 30 years of age
  • Vaccinations are effective against 4 of the 5 most common bacterial types that cause 70 percent of the disease in the U.S. (but does not protect against all types of meningitis).
  • Vaccinations take 10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 5 years.
  • The cost of vaccine varies- check with a health care provider.
  • The vaccination is very safe — the most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up to two days.

Vaccines are available at the following locations:

Adoue Family Health Center
1111 W. Adoue St.
Alvin, Texas 77511
281.824.1480
http://mychn.org/locations/adoue-family-health-center/
Please call to confirm availability.

CVS’s, Walgreens, private physicians and other clinics.