Meningitis Compliance

Meningitis is a serious, potentially fatal infection that is easily spread person-to-person.

About the requirement

Massachusetts law requires meningitis vaccination among all newly enrolled, full-time students aged 21 years or younger living in a dormitory or other congregate housing.

Students are required to have one dose of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine to protect against serotypes A, C, W, and Y on or after their 16th birthday. These vaccines are commonly referred to as Meningitis ACWY, Menactra, Menveo or MenQuadfi.

The Meningococcal-B (MenB) vaccine does not meet the requirement, and is only recommended.

If a student would like to decline (e.g. waive) this immunization requirement, they must meet one of the exemptions specified in the law that are described further down.

How to submit proof of Meningitis vaccination

  1. Log into Patient Connect
  2. Choose the Medical Clearances option on the left-hand side of the screen.
  3. Click the Update button to the right of Immunization Record.
  4. Click the Upload button and follow the instructions to upload your Immunization Form.
  5. Click Save once completed.

Declination of Meningitis Vaccine

Massachusetts law specifies three circumstances in which a student may begin classes without documentation of a Meningitis vaccine:

  1. the student has a letter from a physician stating that there is a medical reason why he/she can’t receive the vaccine;
  2. the student (or the student’s parent or legal guardian, if the student is a minor) presents a statement in writing that such vaccination is against his/her sincere religious belief; or
  3. the student (or the student’s parent or legal guardian, if the student is a minor) signs the waiver below stating that the student has received information about the dangers of meningococcal disease, reviewed the information provided and elected to decline the vaccine.

Students who meet one of these exemptions and wish to decline the vaccine requirement must provide a signed copy of the Declination of Meningitis Vaccine Form to SHS. For students 17 years of age and younger, the declination must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Please follow these steps for declination:

  1. Carefully review the Declination of Meningitis Vaccine Form
  2. Sign the declination. For students 17 years of age and younger, the waiver must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
  3. Log into Patient Connect
  4. In the menu on the left, select Messages
  5. Select New Message
  6. Select Immunization, medical records, and other general questions
  7. Select Meningitis (ACWY) Declination/Waiver
  8. Select Add attachment and select the signed form from your device.
  9. Check the box where directed and click Send
  10. Within one week, the Declination Waiver will be reviewed by SHS. Once approved, your status in Patient Connect will change to Satisfied.