Texas students must receive vaccine before semester begins
January 11, 2012
College students in Texas now have another expense in addition to paying for their tuition.
Lawmakers recently passed a law that requires new and transfer students under the age of 30 get a meningitis vaccination before starting their studies. That means that anyone under 30 who is starting college, going back to college or transferring to a new college must be vaccinated before he or she can start taking classes.
A previous law only required those living on campus to be vaccinated.
"When you've got so many students in contact with each other, anything that can prevent any spread of disease is important," El Paso Community College's Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen told the El Paso Times. "The state law has been around for a while, but it was only mandated for dorm residents. Expanding the law made sense because what about the other students that are still exposed in the classroom and other public areas on campus?"
In order to start their studies, the law requires that students show proof of getting either the vaccine or a booster shot within the five previous years, and at least 10 days in advance.
Many students say that the problem is that they can't afford to pay for the shot, which can cost as much as $120. Although low-cost vaccines are available to low-income and uninsured students, KIII-TV News reports that these subsidized vaccinations are running low in many parts of the state.
The El Paso Times reports that the state health department estimates that about 120,000 uninsured first-time students will enter Texas colleges and universities this year.
While additional expenses can be hard for students of all ages to handle, parent students should know that they can help offset the cost of college by applying for grants for parents, various college scholarships and other financial aid.
