New York State PHL Section 2167 requires post-secondary institutions to distribute information about meningococcal disease and immunization to the students, or parents or guardians of students under the age of 18, accompanied by a response form. The institution is required to maintain appropriate documentation for each student. Acceptable documentation includes any of the following:
- a vaccine record indicating at least 1 dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last 5 years or a complete 2- or 3-dose series of meningococcal B vaccine without a response form; or
- a signed response form with a vaccine record (If a student submits a response form selecting this option, a vaccine record must be attached); or
- a signed response form indicating that the student will obtain meningococcal vaccine within 30 days; or
- a signed response form indicating that the student will not obtain immunization against meningococcal disease.
If the student has not received the meningococcal vaccine within the past 5 years, then they must submit a signed response form. RECEIVING A MENINGITIS VACCINE IS NOT REQUIRED! The meningococcal meningitis response form is available on the patient portal under "Forms." Only the submission of the form must occur.
Exceptions to Public Health Law section 2167
Medical and religious exemptions: Students who cannot receive a meningococcal vaccine due to medical or religious reasons should select the option on the Meningococcal Meningitis Response form stating that they choose not to receive the meningococcal vaccine.
Students over the age of 18 must complete the Meningococcal Meningitis Response form found on the patient portal's FORMS page under the heading Binghamton University. When completed, this version of the form downloads directly to the student's chart without the need for a manual upload.
Students under the age of 18 must have their parent/guardian complete the Meningococcal Meningitis Response form. The form is downloaded from the patient portal's FORMS page under the heading DOWNLOAD FORMS. The parent/guardian must indicate they choose not to have their student receive the meningococcal vaccine, sign the form and manually upload the forms to the UPLOADS page of the patient portal using the reason STUDENT HEALTH REQUIREMENTS.
Consequences of non-compliance:
New York state PHL Section 2167 states that students who fail to meet one of the requirements above must be disenrolled from Binghamton University on the 30th day after the start of classes for in-state students, and on the 45th day after the start of classes for out-of-state or international students. Disenrollment means you are no longer a student at Binghamton University and you must be removed from campus.
Information about meningococcal disease:
The information below is from the New York State Department of Health, and can be found at: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2168
