Effective May 2, 2003, Texas A&M University will no longer be requiring the submission of immunization records as a requirement for class registration. However, Student Health Services strongly recommends that every student, and their family members, review our updated list of immunizations most appropriate for the university student. This list of recommended vaccines was compiled by the American College Health Association (ACHA) with assistance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).         

Health science majors will be an exception to this recommendation, as they are required by state law to be compliant with certain immunization requirements prior to the beginning of their clinical rotations. Assuring that health science students comply with state laws regarding required immunizations is the responsibility of the health science department or college.

All of the recommended vaccines are available to students at Student Health Services. If you have any questions regarding recommended vaccines, please contact Student Health Services at 979-458-8345.

You are welcome to continue to submit immunization records voluntarily in order to assure the availability of a more complete medical record while you are a student at Texas A&M University.      

VACCINE AGE INDICATED MAJOR INDICATIONS MAJOR PRECAUTIONS
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) 1st dose at age 12-15 months or later; 2nd dose at age 4-6 years or later All entering college students born after 1956. Pregnancy; history of hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to any of the components in the vaccine. Guidelines exist for vaccination of persons with altered immunocompentence

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis

-Diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and acellular (whole-cell) pertussis: DTaP (DTP)

-Diphtheria and tetanus toxoid (Td)

 Primary series in childhood with DTaP or DTP, booster at age 11-12 years with Td, then every 10 years. All college students History of hypersensitivity to any of the components in the vaccine.

Polio Vaccine

-Inactive (IPV)

-Oral poliovirus (OPV)

 Primary series in childhood with IPV alone, OPV alone, or IPV/OPV sequentially; booster only if needed for travel after age 18 years IPV for certain international travelers. History of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the vaccine.
Varicella (Chickenpox)  

 

 Childhood, adolescence, young adulthood (two doses at least one month apart, if 13 years of age or older). All entering college students without history of the disease or without age appropriate immunization or with a negative antibody titer (two doses at least one month apart, if over age 13 years). Pregnancy, history of hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to any of the components in the vaccine.  Guidelines exist for vaccination of persons with altered immunocompentence.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Series of 3 doses (given at 0, 1-2 mo., and 6-12 mo.) prior to college entry.  A series of 2 adult doses may be given to adolescents 11-15 years of age (given at 0 and 4-6mo).  Combined hepatitis A and B vaccines may be given as a series of 3 doses (given at 0, 1-2 mo., and 6-12 mo.). All college students History of hypersensitivity to any of the components in the vaccine.
Hepatitis A Vaccine

Series of 2 doses (given at 0, 6-12 mo.) prior to college entry.  Combined hepatitis A and B vaccines may be given as a series of 3 doses (given at 0, 1-2 mo., and 6-12 mo.).

 Over 2 years, repeat every 3-5 yrs.

 

 Recommended for routine use in adolescents through the age of 18 in some states and regions and for certain high risk groups (i.e., persons traveling to countries where hepatitis A is moderately or highly endemic, men who have sex with men, users of  injectable and noninjectable drugs, persons who have clotting-factor disorders, persons working with nonhuman primates, and persons with chronic liver disease). History of hypersensitivity to any of the components in the vaccine.
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine-23 valent Childhood, adolescence, adulthood Young adults with diabetes, heart disease, chronic pulmonary or liver disease.  Revaccinate every 5 years for immunodeficiency states, renal failure, recipients of clotting factor concentrates, asplenia, terminal complement component deficiencies, and HIV infection. History of hypersensitivity to any of the components in the vaccine.

Meningococcal quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine:

Recommendation for vaccination

 

 Over 2 years of age, repeat every 3-5 years Certain high-risk groups including persons with terminal complement deficiencies or those with asplenia.  Research or laboratory personnel who may be exposed to aerosolized meningococci.  College freshmen living in dormitories are at modestly increased risk for disease and may wish to consider vaccination. History of hypersensitivity to any of the components in the vaccine.
Influenza Vaccine Annually All college students particularly those at high risk of complications from the flu such as diabetics or asthmatics or patients with certain immunodeficiencies, and any student who wants to minimize disruption of routine activities during epidemics) History of hypersensitivity to any of the components in the vaccine.

TB Screening

TB skin testing, utilizing the Mantoux test, is required for all incoming, high-risk students, domestic or international, who have arrived from countries where TB is endemic.  As it is easier to identify countries of low, rather than high TB prevalence, please review the following list of exceptions.  Students should undergo TB screening if they have arrived from any country EXCEPT those on the following list:         

EXCEPTION LIST (countries where TB is not endemic):
American Region:      
Canada Jamaica Saint Lucia Saint Kitts and Nevis
USA Virgin Islands    
European Region:      
Belgium Greece Luxembourg San Marino
Denmark Iceland Malta Sweden
Finland Ireland Monaco Switzerland
France Italy Netherlands United Kingdom
Germany Liechtenstein Norway  
Western Pacific Region:      
American Samoa Australia New Zealand  

In addition, other categories of individuals who may be at increased risk for TB infection or disease, and should consider TB screening include:

Please note that all countries in the African Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, and Southeast Asia Region as well as Russia are considered high risk.

Detailed information about screening and treatment for tuberculosis can be found at the following website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/corecurr/