Greater Kerrville Center Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis

The Alamo Colleges District uses Magnus Health to collect and process student bacterial meningitis information.  Magnus Health is a secure and easy-to-use website for submitting bacterial meningitis documentation.

THE LAW

Texas State Law (SB 1107) established the requirement for students entering any Texas institution of higher education to provide proper documentation showing they have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination within five years and at least 10 calendar days before the beginning of the semester.

What is Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.  Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.  The severity of illness and treatment differs depending on whether it is caused by a virus or bacterium.  Viral meningitis is generally less severe and clears up without specific treatment.  Bacterial meningitis can progress extremely fast, be severe and may result in brain damage, amputations, hearing and vision loss, learning disabilities or death.  It is also important to know what type of bacterial meningitis, because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people.

Further information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). 

 

STEPS to Meet the Requirement

  1. Determine if the law applies to you
  2. Gather required documents
  3. Submit documents to Magnus Health

 

(Step 1) DETERMINE IF THE LAW APPLIES

1. Does the Meningitis Law Apply to Me?

    • YES, if you are
      • Under 22 years old.  AND
      • Enrolling for the first time as a credit student.  OR
      • Returning after a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester.  OR
      • A Transferring or Transient student to one of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District family from another college or university
      • A Continuing Education student enrolled in a program of 360 hours or more
       
    • NO, you are exempt if you are
      • 22 years of age or older by the first day of the semester.  OR
      • A student not taking courses on a campus in the Alamo Colleges District family (online or distance education). OR
      • Enrolled continuously in one of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District family since fall 2011.  OR
      • Taking Continuing Education classes in a program of less than 360 hours.
       

2. How to comply with the law

    • Submit proof of having received the bacterial meningitis vaccination within the last 5 years. OR
    • Opt out of the vaccine by submitting an exemption form based on medical reasons, conscientious objection or taking only online courses.

(Step 2) GATHER DOCUMENTS

1. Acceptable proof of having received the bacterial meningitis vaccination

    • A form; with the signature or stamp of a physician, designee, or public health personnel with the agency name and address; which documents when (month, date, year) the vaccination or booster was administered. 
    • An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority.
    • An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state.

2. Acceptable documentation for medical exemption

    • A certificate (a Magnus Health form is available) 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.
    • A letter on the physician’s letterhead with the above statement that includes the physicians signature and date.
    • Prescription notes and letters over 2 weeks old will not be accepted.

3. Acceptable documentation for taking only online courses

4. Acceptable documentation for conscientious objection exemption

 

(Step 3) SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS

Allow 2 to 5 business days for processing

1. To submit vaccination records, or medical exemption

    • Log in to ACES.  Go to the Student tab.  Click the HOLDS link located under Academic Profile. Look for the bacterial meningitis hold.  You will not see the hold unless the law applies to you. A “BM” will show you meet the criteria and must submit the documentation before the hold is removed to allow for registration.
    • Under the Start Here tab, click Magnus SSO.  You will be redirected to the Magnus Health web site. Complete the process as directed. 
    • During the upload process you will be requested to submit the $10.50 retention fee to Magnus Health.
    • The Magnus barcode cover sheet must accompany your shot record when sending documents by mail or fax
    • Scan and upload (this is the quicker method), fax, or mail your vaccination record and barcode cover sheet to Magnus Health.  Magnus Health does not accept emailed records.
    • Magnus will review your documents and email an approved or rejected confirmation receipt.  Your hold will be removed with Alamo Colleges within two to three business days after approval.

2. To submit the conscientious objection exemption

    • Log in to ACES.  Go to the Student tab.  Click the HOLDS link located under Academic Profile. Look for the bacterial meningitis hold.  You will not see the hold unless the law applies to you. A “BM” will show you meet the criteria and must submit the documentation before the hold is removed to allow for registration.
    • Under the Start Here tab, click Magnus SSO.  You will be redirected to the Magnus Health web site. Complete the information as directed.
    • The Magnus barcode cover sheet must accompany your shot record when sending documents by mail or fax
    • If you are submitting the community college conscientious objection form (from above link) you may upload to Magnus.
    • During the process you will be requested to submit the $10.50 retention fee to Magnus Health.
    • If you are submitting the notarized affidavit conscientious objection form, THE ORIGINAL EXEMPTION FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MAGNUS HEALTH BY MAIL with the barcode coversheet.  Faxed or uploaded copies will not be accepted.  Magnus Health does not accept emailed records.
    • Processing of conscientious objection documents will take two to five business days after they are received.
    • Magnus will review your documents and email an approved or rejected confirmation receipt.  Your hold will be removed with Alamo Colleges within two to three (change to read “two to three”) business days after approval.

3. To submit the online courses only waiver

    • The online waiver must be submitted to the Admissions & Records office of the campus you are attending.
    • Do not send Online Waiver to Magnus Health

 

On-Campus Computer Access

Students can use the following computer labs to upload their documents to Magnus Health.

    • Northeast Lakeview College – Student Commons (STCM) Room 204
    • Northwest Vista College – Vista Central Room 126
    • Palo Alto College – Palomino Center (PC) Room 103
    • St. Philip’s College – Welcome Center Room 202 and Norris Tech Bldg (NTB) Room 116
    • San Antonio College – Welcome Center - Corner of N Main and Park Ave.
    • Greater Kerrville Center – Main Office Room 100
    • Central Texas Technology Center (CTTC) – Welcome Center Room 100

Contact

Magnus Health:
Phone: 877-461-6831
Email:  service@magnushealthportal.com

Further Information

Read our FAQs 

Where to get the vaccination

Retail Clinics

Health Facilities

Greater Kerrville Center