Meningitis bill signed into law - Texas, United States of America

New law is effective immediately

A new law signed into effect Saturday will change how students find housing on campus.

In addition to the current law which requires an adolescence vaccination at 11 years old, Senate Bill 1107 will add a booster shot at the age of 16.

Current law, SB 819 passed in the 81st legislature, provides for exceptions if a physician deems the vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student or the student refuses the vaccination on grounds of religious belief. The previous law also requires a physician-signed certificate showing the student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, unless they are only enrolled in online classes.

Senate Bill 1107 now requires that all first-time students and transfer students provide a certificate showing they have had the meningitis vaccination during the five-year period preceding the date established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Another change, students will now be allowed to use an official immunization record as proof of vaccination. Any student who doesn’t have proof will have 10 days form the start of a semester to provide proof of vaccination.

The law, which is effective immediately, would not apply to students who are over the age of 30. The compliance for the new law will be overseen by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Source: Austin News KXAN.com