Immunizations and Medical Clearance Requirements for Entering Students

Options for incoming students attending the current New Student Orientation session who still have an “H” (medical) registration bar

Entering UT Austin students under the age of 22 must comply with the meningococcal vaccine requirement discussed below.

Entering Dell Medical Students – click here for additional requirements.

Entering international students or those without a valid immigration status – click here for additional requirements.

Meningococcal Vaccine Requirement

Entering students will not be allowed to register for classes, even during orientation sessions, until University Health Services (UHS) has received and processed documentation showing that you have complied with the following law.

The Law

All students under the age of 22 who are entering a public, private, or independent institution of higher education in Texas must provide documentation that they have had a meningococcal (bacterial meningitis) vaccine during the five year period prior to but no later than ten days before the first day of the first semester they will enter that institution. Find exclusions and possible exemptions in Who below.

Do not submit your documentation until you are admitted.

Entering summer 2018 - vaccine must be on or after 6/7/13
Entering fall 2018 - vaccine must be on or after 8/29/13
Entering spring 2019 - vaccine must be on or after 1/22/14

who

Who must comply with this requirement and who is exempt.
Inability to receive the meningococcal vaccine because of medical reasons. Acceptable documentation.
Declining the meningococcal vaccine for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. Acceptable documentation.

what

Acceptable documentation to prove that you've met the meningococcal vaccine requirement.

what

How to submit your documentation to UHS
How to see if your documentation has been processed and your registration bar has been removed.
Where you can get the meningococcal vaccine (including those without insurance) and the cost at UHS.

when

Time frame for submitting required documentation to UHS.

Who Must Comply and Who is Exempt

Please submit your documentation to UHS as soon as you are admitted AND have decided to come to UT Austin, but at least two weeks before your intended registration date (even if that date is during a new student orientation session).

Students who must comply with this requirement and those who are exempt.

Unless exempted as noted below, the following students must comply with this requirement.

All first-time students at UT Austin.
All students who are transferring from any institution of higher education to UT Austin.
All students who previously attended UT Austin and who are enrolling following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester. (Students who complete a spring semester at UT Austin, are not enrolled for the summer at UT Austin, and who return in the fall are considered "continuing students" and are not included in this requirement). Acceptable documentation to prove you have met the meningococcal vaccine requirement.

You are EXEMPT from this requirement and do not have to submit any documentation to University Health Services if:

You will be age 22 or older on the first day of classes of the semester in which you are entering.
You will be enrolled only in online or distance education courses. You do not have to submit any documentation to UHS.
You cannot take the vaccine because of medical reasons. Before you will be allowed to register for classes, UHS must receive specific, acceptable documentation to substantiate this reason. Acceptable documentation to prove you cannot take the meningococcal vaccine for health reasons.
You decline the vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. Before you can register for classes, UHS must receive a specific, original, completed and notarized Texas Department of State Health Services exemption form. Find instructions for requesting the form in the "Other Institutions of Higher Education" section of College Vaccine Requirements.

Acceptable documentation to prove that you've met the meningococcal vaccine requirement

Acceptable documentation includes:

the signature or stamp of a physician or his/her designee or public health personnel on a form that shows the month, day, and year of your most recent meningococcal vaccination or booster dose;
an official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority that includes the same information as above; or
an official record issued from school officials, including a record from another state, that includes the same information as above.

Documentation must be in English and include your full name and date of birth. Write your UT EID and the semester you are entering UT Austin (e.g. fall 2018 or spring 2019) on all pages of your documentation before submitting it.

Time frame for submitting your documentation

Acceptable documentation to prove inability to receive a vaccine because of medical reasons.

You, or your parent or guardian if you are a minor, must submit an affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the United States, which states that, in the physician's opinion, a particular vaccine would be injurious to your health and well-being.

Time frame for submitting your documentation

Declining a vaccine for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. Sole form of acceptable documentation.

You are strongly encouraged to consult with a physician about the need for immunizations before requesting an exemption.

Submit to UHS a completed and notarized ORIGINAL Texas Department of State Health Services Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience Affidavit by U.S. Mail or other shipping service or by hand delivery. Emails, faxes, and copies are not acceptable. Request this form well before your registration date. The form cannot be accepted if more than 90 days have passed since the date it was notarized.

Request a Texas Department of State Health Services Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience Affidavit

Write your UT EID and the semester you are entering UT Austin on this form (e.g. fall 2018 or spring 2019) before submitting it.

Time frame for submitting your documentation

Time frame for submitting required documentation to UHS

The following timelines apply for submitting documentation proving you've had the meningococcal vaccine, that you can't take the vaccine because of medical reasons, OR that you decline the vaccine because of reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.

Submit your documentation only after you have been admitted to UT Austin. This requirement is not part of your admission process, but non-compliance will prevent you from registering for classes.

Submit your documentation to UHS at least two weeks before your intended registration date, even if your registration date is during an orientation session, to prevent registration delays.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: You can bring your documentation to UHS as soon as you arrive in Austin.

This information is subject to change. Please do not reproduce online or in print.

How to submit your documentation to UHS

Keep a hard copy of any medical clearance requirement-related documentation you submit to UHS and bring it with you to campus (and to any orientation sessions).

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTATION BY MORE THAN ONE METHOD (E.G. BY EMAIL AND FAX). It will not increase the speed with which your documents are processed.

By U.S. Mail:
ATTN: Immunization Compliance
The University of Texas at Austin
University Health Services
P.O. Box 7339
Austin, TX 78713-7339

Write your full name, EID, the semester you're entering (e.g. fall 2018) and your email address on your documents
IMPORTANT: If you are attending a New Student Orientation session over the summer, write the date it starts on the outside of your envelope (e.g. "6/4/18 Orientation").
READMITTED STUDENTS, also write "Readmit" on the outside of your envelope.
DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS, also write "Dell Medical School" on the outside of your envelope.

By Email:
Attach your documents to an email sent to imm@uhs.utexas.edu. Sending documents as a PDF is strongly preferred, but please do not send images taken by your phone or other digital camera.

READMITTED STUDENTS, write "Readmit" in the subject line.
DELL MEDICAL STUDENTS, write "Dell Medical School" in the subject line.
IMPORTANT: If you are attending a New Student Orientation session, write the date it starts in the subject line USING THIS FORMAT: "6/4/18 Orientation."
Include your full name, EID and the semester you're entering (e.g. fall 2018 or spring 2019) in the text of your email AND on any documentation before scanning it.

By FAX:
512-475-8288
During rush periods, you may receive busy signals before being able to complete your fax. Please plan accordingly.

Write your full name, EID and semester you are entering (e.g. summer or fall 2018) and the date of the first day of any New Student Orientation session you will attend in the summer (e.g. "6/4/18 orientation") on your cover sheet or faxed document.
DELL MEDICAL STUDENTS, also write "Dell Medical School."
READMITTED STUDENTS, also write "Readmit."

Hand Delivery
Student Services Building (SSB)
100 West Dean Keaton St.
Austin, Texas 78705
Second floor - Allergy / Immunization Clinic, SSB room 2.102
See Hours

See "By US Mail" above for instructions on what to write on your documentation.

This information is subject to change. Please do not reproduce online or in print.

How to check whether your documentation has been processed and your registration bar has been removed.

During rush times, it may take a couple of weeks for your documentation to be processed once it's received.

To check if your medical bar has been removed (excluding Dell Medical School students), log in to your Registration Information Sheet (RIS) to see if you still have a "medical" registration bar. This bar will go away when your documentation has been processed.

IF YOUR MEDICAL BAR IS STILL THERE:

Your documentation may not have been processed if it's been less than two weeks since you submitted it.
There could be a problem with your documentation.
- You will be sent an email from imm@uhs.utexas.edu informing you if this is the case.
- To see if you've missed such an email, search all of your applicable email inboxes and junk mailboxes for imm@uhs.utexas.edu. If you sent your information via email, search that address. If you sent it by paper fax or regular mail, search the email you listed as your official UT email address.
If you don't have a "problem" email from UHS and it's been longer than two weeks since you submitted your documentation, call (512) 475-7735 to check the status of your documentation.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: A "medical" bar on your RIS could mean that you're out of compliance with meningococcal vaccine; proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella; and/or the tuberculosis screening test.

Where you can get the meningococcal vaccine (including those without insurance)

Getting meningococcal vaccine at UHS:

Admitted students can schedule an online appointment to get the meningococcal vaccine at UHS. They can also call (512) 471-4955.

Neither parents nor anyone else can schedule an appointment for a student. They must schedule it themselves.

BE ADVISED: UHS has a finite number of immunization appointments, and you may not be able to get the vaccine at UHS if you wait until the last minute to do so. Being unable to schedule an appointment at UHS (or any other facility) in time to meet registration deadlines will not be considered a valid reason for a waiver of this requirement).

If you don't have health insurance, or if your insurance will not pay for a meningococcal vaccine administered at UHS, you will qualify for a self-pay discount. NOTE: To be sure about whether and/or how much your insurance company will pay for vaccines administered at University Health Services, contact your insurance company.

Find out if UHS takes (is in network with) your insurance.
UHS Charges Policy (pdf)

Other resources for getting the vaccine

You can get the meningococcal vaccine at most doctors' offices and private clinics, many large pharmacy chains, and some minor emergency centers or walk-in retail clinics. Call in advance to see whether they offer the vaccine, require an appointment, and take your insurance.

If you have Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Plan), please contact your established healthcare provider as your first option.

If you are uninsured or your insurance will not cover the meningococcal vaccine:

If you are 18 or younger, you might qualify for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program. Call the United Way's referral helpline, by dialing 211, to find healthcare providers in your area who participate in this program.
Many full-service Texas city/county health departments offer free or low-cost meningococcal vaccine as part of children immunization programs for those 18 or younger. A few may offer the vaccine for those over 18.

"Full Service" City/County Health Departments in Texas
Austin/Travis County "Shots for Tots" 18 and under Program Locations

The Meningococcal B vaccine is not available at University Health Services. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) does not recommend routine vaccination of adolescents. Whether you choose to get a meningococcal B vaccine is up to your healthcare provider and you.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current low prevalence of disease, coupled with the fact that important data for making policy recommendations for MenB vaccines are not yet available, resulted in ACIP determining that insufficient evidence exists to make a routine public health recommendation that all adolescents be vaccinated with MenB vaccine. Learn more here.