Per the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules regarding medical exemption:

(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;

Chapter 21, Subchapter T, Sections 21.610 through 21.614

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.

For new students at institutions of higher education NOT living or residing in on-campus housing, who wish to file an affidavit stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, the student may use the official Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's form, accessible from the website at the link below. The student must print the form, have it notarized, and file it with the institution's Registrar's Office or other designated department or unit. This form can be found at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Bacterial Meningitis page.

For new students living in on-campus housing, which includes student housing facilities located on the campus of an institution of higher education, such as dormitories, sorority and fraternity houses, privately owned residence halls, and apartments, the student 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 provided to the designated school official at the institution the student will be attending. 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://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/default.aspx
• Fax the written request to (512) 776-7544
• Mail the written request to:
  • Immunization Branch, Mail Code 1946
  • PO Box 149347
  • Austin, TX 78714
• Or hand deliver to the Texas Department of State Health Services:
  • 1100 West 49th Street
  • Austin, TX 78756

Affidavit form requests will be processed upon receipt. All affidavit forms will be mailed via U. S. Postal Service, first class mail. Please allow up to 7 to 10 business days for delivery.

Upon receiving the affidavit:

• Check the box beside the vaccine(s) you do not want to receive
• Go to a Notary Public and have it notarized
• Only sign the form in the presence of a Notary Public
• Give the original affidavit to your college or university
• Please do not make any copies of the affidavit form. Photocopies will print with the word "void" throughout the form, making the form null & void.