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Immunizations

Immunizations

Student Medical Services offers the Meningitis - Menactra vaccine, Hepatitis A vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, Influenza vaccine and the Tetanus and Pertussis vaccine at a discounted rate to students.  

Recommended Immunizations

Influenza Vaccine

It's recommended that students have 1 dose annually for Influenza. 

Hepatitis A

Recommended for all college students. Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, series of two vaccines.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for all students, required for several majors (nursing, communication disorders, athletic training). Series of 3 immunizations administered over a 6-month period. Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. You can become infected directly through blood or body fluids, or indirectly through contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with the virus,  series of three vaccines.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (Gardasil)

Gardasil is a preventive vaccine against HPV subtypes 6, 11, 16, and 18 which are linked to cervical cancer and genital warts. SMS does not carry this vaccine. 

Meningitis (Bacterial) - REQUIRED

Meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that can affect either the brain or spinal cord or infect the blood.  Permanent brain damage, hearing loss, kidney failure or death can result from this infection.  Certain groups of people are most at risk for this infection. College freshmen who live in residence halls are one of the susceptible groups.

The bacteria are spread through direct contact and through air droplets. Symptoms of the disease are often mistaken for the flu - high fever, rash, neck stiffness, headache, nausea and vomiting.  There is a vaccine available which is 80% effective at preventing the 4 types of bacteria that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. Immunity develops within 7-10 days of receiving the vaccine and is effective for 3-5 years. 

Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)

One dose within the last 10 years. Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis are serious, sometimes fatal, diseases.

 

Other Recommended Vaccines Not Available at SMS

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

Most commonly children receive MMR (Measles, Mumps Rubella) as one immunization. If MMR was received must have had 2 doses, at least 30 days apart, after age 1.

Polio (IPV)

3-4 doses in early childhood.

Varicella (Chickenpox) 

2 doses, one month apart only for students with no history of chickenpox. (SMS can do a varicella lab test to check for immunity to varicella.)

Required Meningitis Immunization

Texas law requires all students entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester. This law also requires that the meningitis vaccination occurs within a five-year period before the student arrives at school. This applies to all new incoming students, under the age of 22, regardless of living on or off-campus or any student that sits out a long semester. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at (806)651-2020 or admissions@wtamu.edu

Bacterial Meningitis Information

Texas Law requires all students (under age 22) entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester.

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Canyon/Amarillo area, but can also request to receive the vaccination at New Student Orientation (NSO).

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at (806)651-2020 or admissions@wtamu.edu .

 

Evidence of Vaccination

Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester and must be submitted in one of the following four formats ( NOTE: West Texas A&M University requires proof of meningitis compliance prior to registering for classes):

  1. Students age 22 or over are not required to receive the meningitis vaccine or submit documentation.

  2. A complete Meningitis Immunization Record form from the Doctor's office you recieved your vaccine. ATTENTION:  International students should use the International Student Meningitis Immunization Record Form.

  3. A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

  4. An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

  5. An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

 

Where can I get the meningitis vaccine?

If you are a currently enrolled student at West Texas A&M University, or are attending a New Student Orientation, or have registered for the upcoming semester, you can purchase and receive the vaccine through:
  • West Texas A&M Student Medical Services
    • located on campus in VHAC 104.
    • Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
    • Be sure to bring your Buffalo Gold Card and a copy of your insurance card with you to your appointment!
    • For more questions about Student Medical Services, call 806-651-3287.  

If you are not a current student or have not registered as a student at West Texas A&M University, you can check with your primary care provider. Or you can get your immunization at one of the following locations:
  • Amarillo Public Health Department: Information
    • $13.74 per immunization, not to exceed $30 (only if you have no health insurance)
    • M-F 8-4; Late Hours 1st Tuesday of the Month 6-8
    • Phone: 806-378-6300
  • CVS Pharmacy: Information
    • Appointments are preferred, walk-ins based on availability
    • M-F 9:00am – 9:00pm (lunch break 1:30pm-2:00pm)
    • Sat & Sun 10:00am – 5:00pm (lunch break 1:30pm-2:00pm)
    • Out of Pocket Cost: $164.99
  • Walgreens Pharmacy: Information
    • No appointment needed
    • M-F 9:00am – 7:00pm (lunch break 1:30pm – 2:00pm)
    • Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm (lunch break 1:30am – 2:00pm)
    • Some locations open Sunday
    • Out of Pocket Cost: $177.99
  • Walmart Pharmacy:  Information
    • Walk ins welcome
    • Mon-Sat 9:00am – 7:00pm
    • Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm
    • Out of Pocket Cost $178.00
  • United Supermarket Pharmacy: Information
    • Walks in welcome
    • Mon-Sat 9:00am – 7:00pm
    • Closed Sunday
    • Out of Pocket Cost $181.69

 

Evidence to Decline Vaccination

Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in one of the following formats:

  1. An affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student.  Or submission of the completed Meningitis Medical Exemption Form

  2. An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. 

    Students living on campus: A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used and can be requested here - Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Please allow several weeks for delivery.  Note:  the link is incorrect on their form.  Please use:   https://co-request.dshs.texas.gov/

    Students NOT living on campus : May complete the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Affidavit and submit the original notarized document to the Office of Admissions.  NOTE: Students must be 18 years of age or older to submit this form.  Students under the age of 18 must use the affidavit above.

  3. Students who intend to enroll in Distance Education courses (or online only) must submit the petition for a waiver available here - Petition to Waive Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement for ALL Online.

Important Considerations

  • You are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Canyon/Amarillo area

  • You will not be allowed to register for classes until you provide proof of vaccination. For freshmen and transfer students, registration is during New Student Orientation (NSO); therefore, you should provide the documentation prior to attending your NSO.

  • The bacterial meningitis vaccination must be administered by a Health Practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization.

  • Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster. 

  • The bacterial meningitis vaccination is available at the WTAMU Student Medical Services and most pharmacies in the Canyon/Amarillo area.

  • The cost of the bacterial meningitis vaccination may be cheaper in your home country or through your current physician.

 

How to Submit Evidence of Vaccination or an Affidavit to Decline Vaccination

All documents should be uploaded to the student's portal. To contact Admissions:

Mail: Office of Admissions, WTAMU Box 60907, Canyon, TX 79016
Phone: (806)651-2020

E-mail: admissions@wtamu.edu