Vaccination Policies

• All first-time freshmen
• All new transfer and graduate students
• All returning Texas Wesleyan students who have experienced a break in their enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester
• Any dual credit and/or early college high school students attending classes at Texas Wesleyan University.

Proof of vaccination should be submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to attending new student orientation. Students who fail to submit the required bacterial meningitis documents will not be permitted to register for classes. However, students will be allowed to be advised when attending orientation so they are prepared to register once they do provide the required bacterial meningitis documentation.

At least one of the following must be mailed or submitted in person to the Admissions office prior to registration for classes:

1. Certification from a physician or clinic that the student has been vaccinated during the five-year period immediately preceding and at least ten (10) days prior to the first day of class (must include the month, day, and year of immunization).
2. An immunization record from a state or local health authority or an official record received from school officials (not older than 5 years and must include the month, day and year the immunization was administered).
3. An official and notarized affidavit declining the bacterial meningitis vaccination for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used.

A portion of this form must be completed and signed/stamped by a healthcare provider or pharmacy.  An acceptable meningitis document will include the following:

• Full name of student
• Student’s date of birth
• Name of facility where the vaccination was given
• Vaccine administration date and expiration
• Meningitis vaccination must be present on the form
• Signature of physician/provider OR stamp
• Administered within the last 5 years of the enrollment term

A receipt of your visit will not suffice as proper documentation. Students who have not turned 22 before the start of the admit term are still required to provide proper meningitis documentation. 

Texas Wesleyan University will maintain the above information in accordance with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations and the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).

All new and returning Texas Wesleyan University students under the age of 22 must be vaccinated at least ten (10) days prior to the official first day of class for the session.  The vaccination must have been administered within the last five years.  Limited exemptions are specified in state law. 

If the student receives the vaccination less than ten (10) days prior to the first day of classes, Texas Wesleyan University will still accept proof. However, any associated holds will not be removed until the ten (10) day period has lapsed. The student may not be allowed to attend classes on campus during this time. An extension to the ten (10) day requirement can be requested and granted for justifiable circumstances (such as late acceptance, etc.). All extension requests must be submitted to and approved by the Office of Student Records and Registration.

If you are planning to move into campus housing, you must comply with the meningitis vaccination requirements within ten (10) days from your housing contract offer or ten (10) days before move in, whichever is earliest. Students will not be allowed to move in to campus housing without submitting timely proof that they have complied with the meningitis vaccination law. Please note, on-campus housing arrangements are made through the Residence Life office. You may contact the staff at 817-413-5000 or housing@txwes.edu.

The following students are not required to submit proof of receiving a bacterial meningitis immunization:

• Students who are 22 years of age or older by the first day of the semester.
• Students enrolled only in online or other distance education courses.
• Students with an affidavit or certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States that states that the vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student.
• Students who sign an affidavit stating that the student declines the bacterial meningitis vaccination for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used. This affidavit requires a notarized signature and must be submitted prior to registration.

Conscientious objection exemption

Students wishing to submit an exemption affidavit for meningitis vaccination must request the official affidavit form through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The affidavit may be ordered electronically but will be mailed to the student’s designated address. The original affidavit must be completed, notarized and provided to Texas Wesleyan University no later than ten (10) days prior to the first day of the first semester in which the student enrolls (NOTE: Receipt of the affidavit may take several weeks.)

Texas Wesleyan University will honor this exemption for two years from the date the form was notarized.

Medical exemption

A student subject to the law may be exempted from the requirement if he or she provides an affidavit from a physician stating that the physician believes the vaccination would be injurious to the student’s health and well-being.

You may mail your completed physician’s affidavit to the Office of Admissions or it may be submitted in person. 

Return completed form/documentation to:

Undergraduate/Transfer/Graduate Students

Texas Wesleyan University
Office of Admissions
1201 Wesleyan Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76105
admissions@txwes.edu

International Students

Texas Wesleyan University
International Programs Office
1201 Wesleyan Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76105
FAX: 1-817-531-4980
OneWorld@txwes.edu

• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  
• American College Health Association
• Texas Wesleyan University Health Services