Important information about Senate Bill 1107

Effective January 1, 2012 - A Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination is required for all entering students under age 30. The term entering student includes new students to UTEP, transfer students from other colleges or universities, and returning UTEP students that have taken the most recent long semester off from college

The State of Texas passed a new law (SB 1107) effective Spring Semester 2012 that requires all new students under age 30 to have a vaccination against bacterial meningitis. All first-time students, transfer students, and students who have taken a leave of absence from school in either a fall or spring semester must have received this vaccination during the five-year period immediately preceding the start of classes and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester enrolled.

The following evidence must be provided to either the Graduate School (if you are a new graduate student), the Office of Admissions and Recruitment (if you are a new undergraduate student), or the Registrar’s Office (if you are a continuing student who has stopped out):

1. Certification from a physician, clinic or previous school demonstrating that the student has been vaccinated duringthe five-year period immediately preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of class. Or,

2. A letter from a licensed medical physician certifying that in the opinion of the physician the required meningococcalvaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student. Or,

3. An official exemption affidavit can be requested in two ways:
1) Students that are going to be residing on-campus must provide the Texas Department of State Health Services
approving exception for reasons of conscience. The exemption affidavit may be requested via the Texas Department
     of State Health Services (https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm).
2) Students that are not residing on campus can create a Conscientious Objection - Affidavit form provided by
     The Coordinating Board (THECB)

Students requiring more information regarding the vaccine should consult their primary care physician and review the Vaccine Information Sheet found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mening.pdf).

Students and/or family members with questions concerning the new State of Texas law (SB 1107) may visit the Texas Legislature Online website (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=SB1107).

For more information regarding the State of Texas requirements please visit the appropriate office (Graduate School, Office of Admissions and Recruitment, or the Registrar’s Office) located in the Academic Services Building or call 915-747-6094.