Immunization Policy

Meningitis Vaccination Requirement (SB 1107)

Del Mar College is fully committed to providing our students with a safe and healthy learning environment in which to pursue their studies and attain their academic goals. Del Mar College also strives to ensure access and equity for each and every student wishing to attend Del Mar for their academic endeavors.

The 83rd Texas Legislature approved Texas Senate Bill 62 which requires all new Del Mar College students 21 years of age or younger to provide proof of immunization against meningitis starting January 1, 2014.

The proof of meningitis vaccination requirement applies to the following:

• All first time freshmen
• All first time transfer students
• All students enrolling in courses located on any DMC campus who may have been previously exempt due to having been solely enrolled in 1) online or other distance education courses; 2) a continuing education course or program that was less than 360 contact hours, or a continuing education corporate training; or 3) a dual credit course, which was taught at a public or private K—12 facility not located on any DMC campus.

The proof of meningitis vaccination requirement does not apply to the following:

• Students who are 22 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester; or
• Students enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing education corporate training who are not otherwise enrolled in any other course located on any DMC campus

Deadlines

Students must submit proof of meningitis vaccination prior to registering for classes. Students who fail to submit this documentation will have a registration hold, preventing them from registering. Documentation must be submitted to the Del Mar College Student Enrollment Center located in the Harvin Student Center, Room 127 (East Campus) or in the Coleman Center, Room 106 (West Campus).

Proof of Meningitis Vaccination

A student shall submit any of the following forms of documentation listed as proof of having received a meningitis vaccination during the prescribed time period preceding enrollment:

1. Signed certification from a physician, a physician's designee or public health personnel that shows the month, day and year the meningitis vaccination was administered.
2. An immunization record from a state or local health authority or an official record received from school officials.

All documentation must be submitted to the Student Enrollment Center. Students may submit their documentation by fax, mail or in person by using the following information:

Del Mar College
Student Enrollment Center, Room 127
101 Baldwin Blvd.
Corpus Christi, Texas 78404-3897
Fax: (361) 698-1684

Failure to Provide Proof of Meningitis Vaccination

Students who fail to provide proof of meningitis vaccination will not be allowed to register until documentation has been submitted to the Student Enrollment Center.

Miningitis Vaccination Exemptions

A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student submits to the institution one of the following:

1. An affidavit of certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, stating that in the physician's opinion, the vaccination 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 reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) must be used. Affidavit requests can be found at the Texas Department of State Health Services website (https://corequest.dshs.texas.gov).
3. Confirmation that the student has completed the Texas Department of State Health Services form online to claim an exemption for reasons of conscience. The form can be found on the Texas Department of State Health Services website (https://corequestjc.dshs.texas.gov).

Consultation with a Physician

Students are advised of the importance of consulting with a physician about the need for the immunization against bacterial meningitis to prevent the disease.

Additional Information

For additional information please contact the Del Mar College Student Enrollment Center at (361) 698-1290, by email at enroll@delmar.edu or in person at the Student Enrollment Center located in Harvin Center, Room 127 (East Campus) or Coleman Center, Room 106 (West Campus). Students may also visit the Meningitis Vaccine section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/meningitis) to learn more about SB 62 and the meningitis requirement or to access exemption forms.

Additional Immunizations

Senate Bill 1517 (effective Fall 1991) gives Texas institutions of higher education the option of requiring you to prove that you have been adequately immunized for diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus and poliomyelitis prior to admission.

The consequences of not being fully immunized are severe. An outbreak of any of these diseases can have a devastating impact on the campus community. Immunization is an integral part of preventive health care. Therefore, Del Mar College recommends that you be fully vaccinated prior to enrollment and that preventive vaccinations be taken when required.

If you are majoring in the health care fields, you must provide documented proof that you have been fully immunized.

For additional immunization information, you are encouraged to contact your family physician, the county health department, or the Immunization Division of the Texas Department of Health.

Health Care Students

These requirements apply to students enrolled in the health care majors who have direct or will have direct patient contact.

Immunizations and other requirements:

• Tetanus/Diphtheria: must have one dose within past 10 years.
• Measles: those born since January 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The two doses must be at least 30 days apart.
• Mumps: those born since January 1, 1957, must have at least one dose since 12 months of age.
• Rubella: at least one dose since 12 months of age is required.
• Hepatitis B: a complete series is required prior to beginning direct patient care.
• Tuberculosis test: must be performed annually.
• Criminal background check.