Meningitis Vaccine: Questions & Answers

The vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—MCV4 and MPSV4—offer protection for Meningitis groups A, C, Y, and W-135. Currently, MCV4 and MPSV4 are the only vaccines that are accepted. Please visit the CDC website for additional information.

Note: Student must show proof of an initial meningitis vaccination or a booster dose during the five-year period prior to enrolling. 

Meningitis vaccinations are available from health care providers, county health departments, clinics, and pharmacies.

Contact your health care provider for a medical opinion.

The state allows you to opt out of the meningitis vaccination for medical reasons or conscientious objection; however, you must submit the applicable exemption document or you will be dropped from your classes.

Students can submit a conscientious exemption form by logging into the Medicat student portal and uploading the form. 

If this is not possible, please visit an Admissions and Enrollment office at any campus. Conscientious objections can also be emailed to [email protected] along with your photo ID. Emailed documents will be processed within 2-3 business days.

In order to submit a medical exemption, you will need to obtain a form from your medical provider and bring it into any campus Admissions & Enrollment Office. To be accepted: 

• The affidavit must be signed and dated by a physician who is registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States. 
• The affidavit must state the physician’s opinion that the vaccination would be injurious to your health and well-being. 
• You must submit the original document. Copies are not accepted.

Other exemption forms originating from the Texas Department of State Health Services will continue to be accepted. Forms downloaded from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website will no longer be accepted.

Vaccination records must include the date (day/date/year) of the vaccination. Any of the following documents are accepted:

• A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician, a designee, or the public health personnel who administered the immunization.
• An official immunization record generated by a state or local health authority.
• An official immunization record from another school, including those from another state.

Submit vaccination records to Medicat: Details about submitting records to Medicat are listed on ACC’s Meningitis Compliance Steps Only students who have an active hold for the meningitis requirement will be able to access this site.

For issues with the Medicat student portal, please contact ACC Admissions and Enrollment.

Vaccination records and medical exemption affidavits require up to 5 business days after being received by Medicat. Conscientious objection certificates and Medical Exemption waivers submitted on campus are approved immediately. 

You will not remain enrolled in classes until proper documentation is received.

If you miss the deadline to comply, you will need to re-register for your classes. We cannot guarantee seats will still be available if you have to re-register.

Obtaining the vaccination outside the U.S. can save you money; however, there are several forms of meningitis, so confirm you receive one of the following accepted vaccines:

• Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4)
• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4)