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Memo to Students
Regarding Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis B Immunization
Dear Incoming Student:
We welcome you to the University of Memphis campus. To make your transition easier, I am writing to inform you about a 2003 state law. In this statute, the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee mandates that each public or private post secondary institution in the state provide information concerning Hepatitis B infection to all students entering the institution for the first time. Those students who will be living on campus must also receive information about the risk of meningococcal meningitis infection.
After reading this information and prior to registering for classes, you must complete and the Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis B Immunization Health History form to indicate that you have received the information and have chosen to have the vaccination, plan to have the vaccination, or have chosen not to have the vaccination. The form is on-line preceding the registration screen. If you are eighteen (18) years of age or older, you will complete the on-line version of the form. [Click for Instructions on how to complete the form.] For minors, a parent or guardian must sign the form, therefore the form must be printed and the completed waiver form must be received at the Student Health Services PRIOR to registering. You may fax the completed form to (901) 678-3124 or mail the completed form to The University of Memphis, Student Health Services, 200 Hudson Health Center, Memphis, TN 38152-3320. You may also bring the form to Student Health Services, which is located just south of McWherter Library. [Click for Instructions on how to complete the form.]
The law does not require that you receive the vaccination for enrollment. Furthermore, The University of Memphis is not required by law to provide vaccination and/or reimbursement for the vaccine. However, the Student Health Services Clinic has Hepatitis B vaccine available for a nominal fee. Please call Student Health Services for information about where to get the meningitis vaccination. You may also receive the vaccinations from your health care provider or your local public health department. Some insurance policies may pay for this immunization, please check with your own insurance company for this information.
More information concerning these diseases and vaccines can be accessed from the following web sites: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/index.htm , http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm .
Other good web sites for Hepatitis B are: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm or http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs204/en/.
If you have any questions regarding this state law, the vaccinations, or the form, please call Student Health Services at (901) 678-2287.
Cordially yours,
Wayne Capooth, M.D.
Medical Director
University of Memphis Student Health Services
More Information concerning
Meningitis
Hepatitis B
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