Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements

for Students Grades K-12

A student shall show acceptable evidence of vaccination prior to entry, attendance, or transfer to a child-care facility or public or private elementary or secondary school in Texas.

2024-2025

 Immunization Requirements for Schools 

Texas Education Code
Sec. 38.001
Immunization; Requirements; Exceptions

Each student shall be fully immunized against diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus, and poliomyelitis, except as provided by Subsection (c).

Cada estudiante será completamente inmunizado contra la difteria, rubeola, rubéola, paperas, tétanos y poliomielitis, excepto según lo dispuesto en la subsección (c).​

To view the entire Texas Education Code 38.001 regarding required vaccines click here.

Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine 

 click here.

For Information on Exemption from School Immunizations click here.

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis is very serious and can be deadly.

Death can occur in as little as a few hours. Most people recover from meningitis.

However, permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities can result from the infection. 

Generally, the germs that cause bacterial meningitis spread from one person to another. Certain germs, such as L. monocytogenes, can spread through food.

How people spread the germs often depends on the type of bacteria. It is also important to know that people can have these bacteria in or on their bodies without being sick. These people are “carriers.” Most carriers never become sick, but can still spread the bacteria to others.

Signs and Symptoms

Meningitis symptoms include sudden onset of

• Fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck

There are often other symptoms, such as

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
• Altered mental status (confusion)

Newborns and babies may not have or it may be difficult to notice the classic symptoms listed above. Instead, babies may

• Be slow or inactive
• Be irritable
• Vomit
• Feed poorly

In young babies, doctors may also look for a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on infant’s head) or abnormal reflexes. If you think your baby or child has any of these symptoms, call the doctor right away.

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they develop within 3 to 7 days after exposure.

Later symptoms of bacterial meningitis can be very serious (e.g., seizures, coma). For this reason, anyone who thinks they may have meningitis should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women are at increased risk of developing listeriosis, an infection caused by the bacteria L. monocytogenes. Listeriosis is typically a mild illness for pregnant women, but it causes severe disease in the fetus or newborn baby. Pregnant women can reduce the risk of meningitis caused by L. monocytogenes by avoiding certain foods and safely preparing others.

Pregnant women can pass group B Streptococcus (group B strep) to their baby during delivery. A newborn infected with group B strep can develop meningitis or other serious infections soon after birth. Talk with your doctor or midwife about getting a group B test when you are 36 through 37 weeks pregnant. Doctors give antibiotics (during labor) to women who test positive in order to prevent infection in newborns.

For more information on Bacterial Meningitis 

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