Purpose:
To allow institutions of higher education to require certain
immunizations as requirement for admission
Date Approved:
December
5, 1991
Background:
The
72nd Legislature adopted Senate Bill 1517 which amended the Texas Education Code Sections 2.09 and
2.09a and updated required immunization of certain students. The amendment allows institutions of higher
education to require persons applying for admission to be immunized against
diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus, and poliomyelitis, except as
provided in the Code. The Code further allows the Texas Board of Health to require immunization against these
and additional diseases for those who are pursing a course of study in any of
the human or animal health professions.
The
Board adopted the following policy regarding immunization of students within
The University of Texas System against hepatitis B:
Not later than January 1, 1992, all medical students, dental students, residents, interns, nursing students, and certain allied health students and graduate students, specifically those students having direct patient care assignments or those students who come in contact with human biological fluids or tissue, will be required to certify serologic immunity to hepatitis B virus or to certify immunization with a complete series of hepatitis B vaccine.
While the Texas Board of Health exempted all other students from this requirement unless specified by the individual institution of higher education, all students are strongly encouraged to ensure their individual protection against immunizable diseases.
Last reviewed September 2000