Student Immunizations
REQUIRED VACCINE DETAILS
These details provide the government specifications for vaccination immunity against the diseases required for the University. For more information on submitting your mandatory health forms, please see our Student Records page.
All incoming students must have 3 doses of:
Hepatitis B vaccine
Parameters
- The first two doses given on month apart and the third dose 4-6 months after the first OR
Acceptable Alternate Proof of Immunity for Hepatitis B
1) A history of rubeola immunity proved by serological evidence showing adequate antibody to hepatitis B
TDaP (Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis)
All incoming students must have vaccine within the last 10 years
TDaP or TD vaccine
Parameters
- One dose of Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis, NOT to be confused with DTap or Td) immunization is needed for immunity.
- A Td immunization booster is also needed if it has been greater than ten years since the Tdap was administered.
Rubeola (Measles)
All incoming students born after 1956 must have TWO doses of:
MMR vaccine OR live rubeola vaccine.
Parameters
- The first dose of vaccine must be administered at 12 months of age or older.
- The second dose of vaccine must be administered at least one month after the initial dose.
Acceptable Alternate Proof of Immunity for Rubeola
1) A history of rubeola immunity proved by serological evidence showing adequate antibody to rubeola.
– OR –
2) A physician diagnosis of prior rubeola disease history indicated by a written record signed by the physician or his designee.
Mumps
All incoming students must have ONE dose of:
MMR vaccine OR live attenuated mumps vaccine.
Parameters
- Dose of vaccine must be administered at 12 months of age or older.
Acceptable Alternate Proof of Immunity for Mumps
1) A history of mumps immunity proved by serological evidence showing adequate antibody to mumps.
– OR –
2) A physician diagnosis of prior mumps disease history indicated by a written record signed by the physician or his designee.
Rubella (German Measles)
All incoming students must have ONE dose of:
MMR vaccine OR live attenuated rubella vaccine.
Parameters
- Dose of vaccine must be administered at 12 months of age or older.
Acceptable Alternate Proof of Immunity for Rubella
1) A history of rubella immunity proved by serological evidence showing adequate antibody to rubella.
– OR –
2) A physician diagnosis of prior rubella disease history indicated by a written record signed by the physician or his designee.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
All incoming students must have TWO doses of:
Varicella vaccine
Parameters
- The first dose of vaccine must be administered at 12 months of age or older.
- The second dose of vaccine must be administered at least 3 months after the initial dose up to 13 years of age. At least 4 weeks after the first dose when first dose administered at 13 years of age or older.
Acceptable Alternate Proof of Immunity for Varicella
1) A history of varicella immunity proved by serological evidence showing adequate antibody to varicella.
– OR –
2) A physician diagnosis of prior varicella disease history indicated by a written record signed by the physician or his designee.
STUDENTS LIVING IN UNIVERSITY HOUSING
Meningococcal Quadrivalent Meningitis Vaccine (MCV4)
PA State Law requires you to be immunized against meningitis or fill out and submit an immunization waiver form.
If you DO NOT comply with this requirement, you WILL NOT be permitted to live in a university facility.
One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine administered at age 16 or older is required. Meningococcal B (Bexsero and Trumenba) does not satisfy this requirement.
The College and University Student Vaccination Act of 2002 in Pennsylvania prohibits a student from residing in University housing unless the student has received a one-time vaccination against meningococcal disease, or the institution provides detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability and the effectiveness of any vaccine. The student must also sign a written waiver stating that the student has received and reviewed the information provided and has chosen not to be vaccinated for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that first-year college students living in residence halls should receive at least 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) before college entry. The preferred timing of the most recent dose is on or after their sixteenth birthday and persons aged twenty-one years should have documentation of receipt of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine not more than five years before enrollment.
In accordance with the College and University Student Vaccination Act and ACIP, all students who will be living in University housing must submit proof of one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine that covers serogroups A, C, Y, and W since age sixteen. Students may request an exemption from this requirement if there is a medical contraindication to vaccination or if religious or philosophical beliefs prohibit immunization. The Meningococcal B vaccine (serogroup B) is a separate vaccine and is strongly recommended, although not mandatory at this time.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
International students must present documentation of immunization with polio vaccine and a Tuberculin skin test by mantoux method or a chest x-ray within the past year.
RECOMMENDED VACCINES
The following vaccinations are not currently required by the University but are encouraged. Always discuss which vaccines are right for you with your physician.
A two-dose series, but often given as a combined vaccine with Hepatitis B Vaccine. Particularly recommended for persons traveling abroad.
HPV vaccination is recommended at ages 11–12 years. HPV vaccines can be given starting at age 9 years. All preteens need HPV vaccination, so they are protected from HPV infections that can cause cancer later in life. It is indicated for the prevention of cervical cancers, anal cancers and genital warts in females
COVID-19 immunization teaches our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It typically takes two weeks after immunization for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. People are considered fully protected two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 immunization, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 immunization.
The best way and most important step to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
Annual seasonal influenza vaccine clinics are available on campus - please check Point Sync for dates and times.