• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Health Services
Student Life
  • About
    • Baylor University Student Emergency Services
      • Relationship Violence
      • Self Care
    • FAQs
    • Health Form Instructions
    • Isolation and Quarantine Resources
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Notice Concerning Complaints
    • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
    • Required Immunizations and Exemptions
    • Scope Of Clinical Activities
    • Student Health Advisory Council
      • Council Members
  • Services
    • ADHD Policy
      • ADHD Referrals
    • Appointments
      • What to Bring
    • Comfort/Support Animals
    • General Services
    • Health Links
    • Immunizations
      • Meningitis Vaccination
    • Lab Services
    • Navigating Hospitalization
    • Pharmacy
      • Reading Your Prescription Label
      • Prescription Drug Insurance
      • Medication Return Collection
      • RX Coupons
      • Pharmacy FAQs
    • Physical Therapy
    • Psychiatry Services
    • Telehealth Information
    • Travel Consultation
  • Disease Prevention
    • COVID-19
      • COVID-19 Testing
      • Self Isolation Instructions
    • Influenza Information
      • Flu Vaccine
    • Mpox
    • West Nile Virus
  • Medical Records
    • Privacy Notice and Consent for Treatment
    • Medical Records Release Form
    • COVID-19 Medical Exemption Form
    • COVID-19 Religious Exemption Form
    • Internship Vaccination Exceptions Policy
    • Required Immunizations and Exemptions
  • Insurance
    • Billing Information
    • Insurance and Referral Tips
    • International Student Insurance Policy
    • Undergraduate, Graduate, Law and Seminary Students
  • Health Portal Login
Baylor BU Health Services Services Immunizations Meningitis Vaccination
  • ADHD Policy
  • Appointments
  • Comfort/Support Animals
  • General Services
  • Health Links
  • Immunizations
    • Meningitis Vaccination
      • Meningitis Vaccine FAQs
  • Lab Services
  • Navigating Hospitalization
  • Pharmacy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Psychiatry Services
  • Telehealth Information
  • Travel Consultation

Meningitis Vaccination

The MCV4 bacterial meningitis vaccination (MenQuadFi) is available in the Health Center by appointment.

Please call 254-710-1010 or log on our website at MY HEALTH to set up an appointment time to see the nurse for this important vaccination. Cost is $152.

Bexsero and Trumemba are Meningitis B Vaccines and DO NOT meet the requirements of the State of Texas.

College Vaccine Requirements

A Texas State law states ALL new students under the age of 22 must show proof of meningococcal vaccination within the last 5 years and at least 10 days prior to the first class day.

At the current time, students MAY submit housing applications and register for classes prior to providing the required MCV4 documentation (Menactra, Menveo or MenQuadfi). However students MAY NOT move into the residence hall or attend class without providing proof of their current MCV4 Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (Meningitis B vaccines are NOT accepted for this requirement) or an appropriate exemption form to the Health Services office.

The law defines an "entering student" as: "(A) New student – a first-time student of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education and includes a student who transfers to the institution from another institution; (B) A student who previously attended an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education before January 1, 2012, and who is enrolling in the same or another institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester."

All students must properly complete a Health Form, including the month, date and year of meningitis vaccination. The signature of a physician, other healthcare worker or public health official must be included on the form.

Students may be exempted from the requirement in only one of two ways

  1. An affidavit or certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice 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; OR

  2. Texas law allows for an exemption from immunizations for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. There are two different processes to obtain an exemption form depending on the student's age and living situation.

Requesting An Exemption

New students must use the official Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) form. The DSHS form may be ordered electronically. It is then mailed from DSHS to the student. The DSHS form must be completed, notarized, and submitted to Baylor Health Services. It is the student's responsibility to complete the DSHS form and have it notarized. Information about requesting the DSHS affidavit form is available at the DSHS Immunizations School & Child-care Requirements page. A written request must be submitted for the affidavit via one of the following:

  • Secure on-line FTP site at: https://co-request.dshs.texas.gov/

  • Fax the written request to (512) 776-7544

  • Mail the written request to: Immunization Branch, Mail Code 1946 PO Box 149347 Austin, TX 78714

Please note that the above exceptions do not apply during a disaster or public health emergency, terrorist attack, hostile military or paramilitary activity or extraordinary law enforcement emergency declared by an appropriate official or authority from the Texas Department of State health Services and is in effect for Waco/McLennan County.

College students-particularly freshmen living in dorms on campus- are at an increased risk of contracting bacterial meningococcal disease. Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection that can be fatal in as few as 48 hours and may leave survivors with permanent disabilities; therefore it requires early diagnosis and treatment. It is often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms closely resemble those of the flu.

Although no vaccine offers 100% protection, the meningococcal vaccine (Menactra, MenVeo, or MenQuadfi) offers the most complete protection against bacterial meningitis.

Updated 2/21/23

Health Services

McLane Student Life Center, 2nd Floor
209 Speight Ave
Waco, Tx 76706

Phone: (254) 710-1010
Fax: (254) 710-2499
EMERGENCY: 911
Health_Services@baylor.edu
Counseling Center
Title IX Office
Wellness
Latest COVID-19 Information
Baylor BU Health Services Services Immunizations Meningitis Vaccination
  • About
    Back
    • Baylor University Student Emergency Services
      Back
      • Relationship Violence
      • Self Care
    • FAQs
    • Health Form Instructions
    • Isolation and Quarantine Resources
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Notice Concerning Complaints
    • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
    • Required Immunizations and Exemptions
    • Scope Of Clinical Activities
    • Student Health Advisory Council
      Back
      • Council Members
  • Services
    Back
    • ADHD Policy
      Back
      • ADHD Referrals
    • Appointments
      Back
      • What to Bring
    • Comfort/Support Animals
    • General Services
    • Health Links
    • Immunizations
      Back
      • Meningitis Vaccination
        Back
        • Meningitis Vaccine FAQs
    • Lab Services
    • Navigating Hospitalization
    • Pharmacy
      Back
      • Reading Your Prescription Label
      • Prescription Drug Insurance
      • Medication Return Collection
      • RX Coupons
      • Pharmacy FAQs
    • Physical Therapy
    • Psychiatry Services
    • Telehealth Information
    • Travel Consultation
  • Disease Prevention
    Back
    • COVID-19
      Back
      • COVID-19 Testing
      • Self Isolation Instructions
    • Influenza Information
      Back
      • Flu Vaccine
    • Mpox
    • West Nile Virus
  • Medical Records
    Back
    • Privacy Notice and Consent for Treatment
    • Medical Records Release Form
    • COVID-19 Medical Exemption Form
    • COVID-19 Religious Exemption Form
    • Internship Vaccination Exceptions Policy
    • Required Immunizations and Exemptions
  • Insurance
    Back
    • Billing Information
    • Insurance and Referral Tips
    • International Student Insurance Policy
    • Undergraduate, Graduate, Law and Seminary Students
  • Health Portal Login
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give Light
  • Give to Baylor
  • Illuminate
  • News
  • Pro Futuris
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Baylor Libraries
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Accessibility
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Report It
  • Title IX
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678