State Requirement
Meningococcal Vaccine State Requirements
Does your state require the meningococcal vaccination for your children? To find out, click on your state.
Note: Laws regarding vaccine requirements can change. Be sure to double-check your state’s legislation.
Alabama currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Alaska requires meningococcal disease education for all college and university students living on campus, and requires students to disclose to their educational institutions whether or not they have been vaccinated.
Postsecondary educational institutions must provide incoming students who intend to live in campus housing with information about the dangers of meningococcal disease and the importance of vaccination. All students are required to sign documentation that they have been immunized. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide or pay for any vaccination against meningococcal disease.21
Arizona currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Arkansas requires that colleges and universities provide students with meningococcal disease education.
All college and university students must be advised about the increased risk of meningococcal disease for students who live in close quarters, and the availability of a vaccine.22
California requires meningococcal disease education for requesting school districts. The state also requires that colleges and universities provide students residing on campus with meningococcal disease education, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All first-year college and university students who will be residing on campus must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. Students will be required to sign documentation provided by the postsecondary educational institution indicating they received this information and whether or not they choose to be immunized. The completed forms will be maintained in accordance with the institution's health-care records policy. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide vaccination against meningococcal disease.23
Colorado requires that colleges and universities provide students with meningococcal disease education, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All college and university students must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and receive vaccine information. Students will be required to sign documentation provided by the postsecondary educational institution indicating they reviewed the information and whether or not they choose to be immunized. If the student is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must sign the documentation. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.24
Connecticut requires meningitis vaccination for all college and university students residing on campus.
Meningitis vaccination is mandatory for all college and university students residing on campus, unless exempt for medical or religious reasons. Each college and university is required to provide meningitis information and vaccine availability to all prospective students prior to matriculation.25
Delaware requires that colleges and universities provide students with meningococcal disease education, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All college and university students must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. They must also disclose to the educational institution whether or not they have elected to receive the vaccination.26
Florida requires that colleges and universities provide students with meningococcal meningitis education, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All college and university students must be notified about the risks of meningococcal meningitis and the availability of a vaccine. All students who are living on campus must be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis, unless they sign a waiver provided by the educational institution. If the student is under 18 years of age, the waiver must be signed by the student's parent or legal guardian. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.27
Georgia requires that colleges and universities provide first-time students residing on campus with meningococcal disease education, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All first-time students must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and receive vaccine information. Students who are 18 years of age or older are required to sign documentation provided by the postsecondary educational institution indicating they have been immunized or that they have reviewed the provided information. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.28
Hawaii currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Idaho currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Illinois requires all universities to provide meningitis education for first-time students.
All incoming freshmen and transfer students must be notified about the risks of meningitis. Any university that delivers health services is required to offer the meningitis vaccination, if available. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university pay for vaccination against meningitis.29
Indiana requires schools to provide menigococcal meningitis education.
All students must be notified about the risks of menigococcal meningitis and the availability of a vaccine.30
Iowa requires all colleges and universities that have on-campus residences to provide meningococcal disease education for students, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All students must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and receive vaccine information. Students must indicate on health forms provided by their institution whether or not they have received immunization. Data obtained shall be submitted annually to the state in such a manner that no individual can be identified. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide vaccination against meningococcal disease.31
Kansas requires meningitis vaccination for all first-time college and university students living on campus, and students must disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All incoming students residing in student housing must be vaccinated for meningitis. There are appropriate waiver procedures for those who refuse to take the vaccine. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide or pay for any vaccination against meningitis.32
Kentucky requires that colleges and universities provide meningococcal meningitis education for full-time students living in resident housing, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All full-time students living on campus must be notified about the risks of meningococcal meningitis and receive vaccine information. Students must indicate on documentation provided by their postsecondary educational institutions whether or not they have elected to receive the vaccination. The obtained vaccination information will be in possession of the educational institution and not become public record. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.33
Louisiana requires meningococcal disease vaccination for all first-time and returning college and university students.
All first-time college and university students, as well as returning students who were previously registered before the Fall of 2006, must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease in order to register for courses. The postsecondary educational institution must provide all students with information on the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of the vaccine, and requires students who have chosen not to be vaccinated for religious or other personal reasons to sign a waiver. If the student is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian may sign. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.34
Maine requires colleges and universities to provide meningococcal disease education for all first-time students living on campus.
All newly entering students who plan to live on the residential campus must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide vaccination against meningococcal disease.35
Maryland requires meningococcal disease vaccination for all college and university students living on campus, unless they sign a waiver.
All college and university students who are living on campus must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. An individual may be exempt from this requirement if they review meningococcal disease information provided by the educational institution and they sign a waiver. If the student is under 18 years of age, the waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian. Institutions of higher learning are not required to provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.36
Massachusetts requires meningococcal disease vaccination for all first-time college and university students registered at institutions that provide student housing, unless they sign a waiver or obtain a physician's written consent. The state also requires meningococcal disease education for the parent or guardian of a child at a day care center, secondary school, or youth camp.
All first-time college and university students must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease, unless they sign a waiver or obtain a physician's written consent. A parent or guardian of a student less than 18 years of age must sign the waiver. Parents and guardians of a child at a day care center, secondary school, or youth camp must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. Nothing in the legislation requires that any institution provide vaccination against meningococcal disease. 37,38
Michigan requires high schools, colleges, and universities to provide meningococcal disease education.
All college and university students, and all parents of high school students, must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine.39
Minnesota requires that all college and university students disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated against meningitis.
All students must submit documentation to their postsecondary educational institution indicating whether or not they have elected to receive the vaccination. If the student is a minor and chooses not to be vaccinated, a parent or guardian must submit a signed statement.40
Mississippi requires schools to provide meningococcal disease education.
All public schools and agricultural high schools must provide parents and guardians with information about the risks of meningococcal disease and the effectiveness of a vaccine. Nothing in the legislation requires a local school board or school to provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.41
Missouri requires that colleges and universities require students living on campus to sign a waiver stating that their institution provided meningococcal disease education.
All students who reside on campus must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. A student who elects to receive the meningococcal vaccine will not be required to sign the waiver and will present a record of vaccination to the institution of higher education. Nothing in the legislation requires that any institution of higher education provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.42
Montana currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Nebraska requires colleges and universities to provide all first-time students living on campus with meningococcal disease education.
All newly enrolled students residing on campus must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. It is recommended that students receive the vaccination. Each postsecondary educational institution requests signed confirmation that the provided information was received and reviewed.43
Nevada currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
New Hampshire currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
New Jersey requires meningitis vaccination for all first-time four-year college and university students living on campus.
All first-time college and university students who are living on campus must be vaccinated against meningitis, unless exempt for medical or religious reasons.44
New Mexico currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
New York requires meningococcal disease education at camps, secondary schools, and colleges that provide housing, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All campers, secondary school students, and college students must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. Students must provide immunization response.45
North Carolina requires that schools provide parents and guardians with meningococcal meningitis education.
Parents and guardians of students must receive information on meningococcal meningitis and vaccines at the start of the school year.46
North Dakota currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Ohio requires all students at nonprofit colleges and universities to disclose whether or not they have received the meningococcal meningitis vaccination.
Students must disclose to their educational institutions whether or not they have been vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis before receiving on-campus housing.47
Oklahoma requires that parents and guardians of students in grades 6-12 receive meningococcal meningitis information from the board of education.
At the beginning of each school year, parents and guardians of students in grades 6-12 must receive meningococcal meningitis education and information on vaccine availability.48
Oregon currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Pennsylvania requires that colleges and universities prohibit students from residing in a dormitory or housing unit unless vaccinated against meningococcal disease.
Students living in a dormitory or housing unit must receive vaccination or sign a waiver after the institution provides detailed information on meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. If the student is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver. Nothing in the legislation requires that any institution of higher education provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.49
Rhode Island requires all students to be vaccinated.
All students entering any public or private school, including any college or university, must provide evidence of vaccination against diseases as prescribed by regulation of the director of health. All children older than 24 months of age are eligible to receive immunization against meningococcal disease.50
South Carolina requires that public colleges and universities provide meningococcal disease education for incoming students.
Schools must provide information to incoming students about the risk of contacting meningococcal disease if residing on campus, and recommend vaccination to all students.51
South Dakota currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Tennessee requires that colleges and universities provide meningococcal disease education for first-time students living on campus, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All new incoming students residing on campus must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. Students must complete a waiver form that indicates the institution has provided detailed information and whether or not they have been vaccinated. If the student is under 18 years of age, the waiver must be signed by the student's parent or legal guardian. Nothing in the legislation requires that any institution of higher education provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.52
Texas requires that all school districts and institutions of higher learning provide bacterial meningitis education.
Each school year, primary and secondary schools must provide information on bacterial meningitis and vaccine availability to students and parents. Colleges and universities must provide new students with bacterial meningitis information and vaccine availability.53
Utah currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Vermont currently has no requirements.20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.
Virginia requires incoming full-time students at public colleges and universities to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease, or sign a waiver.
Incoming students must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease prior to enrollment. If the institution provides detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine, a student may sign a waiver stating that he has received and reviewed the information and has chosen not to be vaccinated. If a student is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian may sign the waiver.54
Washington requires schools to provide meningococcal disease information to all parents and guardians of students in grades 6 and above.
At the beginning of every school year, public and private schools are required to provide parents and guardians of students in 6th grade and above with information on meningococcal disease and its vaccine. Nothing in the legislation requires that schools provide vaccination against meningococcal disease.55
West Virginia encourages higher education institutions to provide meningococcal disease education.
Implement general disease awareness initiatives to educate parents and students, particularly dormitory residents, about meningococcal meningitis; the potentially life-threatening dangers of contracting the infection; behaviors and activities that can increase risks; measures that can be taken to prevent contact or infection; and potential benefits of vaccination. The commission shall encourage institutions that provide medical care to students to provide access to the vaccine for those who wish to receive it.56
Wisconsin requires that private colleges and universities provide meningococcal disease education for students, and requires students to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated.
All private college and university students must be notified about the risks of meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccine. Students who reside on campus must affirm that they received the information and indicate whether or not they received vaccination. The institution maintains a confidential record of the affirmations. Nothing in the legislation requires that any college or university provide or pay for vaccination against meningococcal disease.57
Wyoming currently has no requirements. 20
However, in order to reduce your child's risk of getting meningococcal disease, please talk to your health-care provider about Menactra vaccine.