Immunization Requirements
New York State Public Health Laws 2165 (measles) and 2167 (meningitis) require all students attending college to provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella, and to be informed of the risks of meningococcal meningitis and given the option of being immunized or declining immunization.
- Students who were born prior to 1957 do not need to provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella.
- Students with medical contraindications to immunization or who have genuine and sincere religious beliefs contrary to immunization, will need to contact Health Services for an appropriate waiver.
- Students under the age of 18 who elect to decline meningitis vaccination at this time, must have the meningitis statement signed by their parent or legal guardian.
If you have proof of immunization(s), please print the Certificate of Immunization (.pdf) , have your health care provider complete it, and return it to Health Services.
Requirements:
MMR
- Proof of 2 measles, 1 mumps and 1 rubella immunization, or 2 MMR’s or blood work demonstrating immunity to measles, mumps or rubella.
Meningitis
- Proof of a meningitis vaccine within the past 10 yrs, or a signed statement declining the meningitis vaccination
- Read the following two pages:
- Complete the Meningococcal Meningitis Response Form (.pdf) - This form can be printed and mailed. You must have Acrobat Reader to view the file.
Availability
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) information is part of your early childhood immunization record. If you are less than 24 years of age, your high school or primary school nurse's office may still retain your records. Students who have attended another college in New York State should contact the college health office of their previous college for immunization records. Schools are only required to maintain immunization records for 10 years after graduation. Immunization information may also be located through a personal physician, military immunization record, and immigration health record.
If you are unable to locate your immunization records another option would be to have blood work drawn to show immunity to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR Titer). Students wishing to have blood work drawn should discuss this with his or her personal physician.
Any Veteran without immunization information may provide Health Services with a copy of his or her DD-214 demonstrating an honorable discharge to obtain a waiver of the immunization requirement.
Students who do not have insurance, or whose insurance does not cover the cost of adult immunization, who are on Medicaid, and/or who do not have a physician may receive an MMR vaccine through Health Services at no charge.
Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine is recommended but not required. After reading the Communicable Disease Fact Sheet on Meningococcal Meningitis and the Meningococcal Vaccine- What You Need To Know, you may elect to decline immunization at this time, by completing the “Meningococcal Meningitis Response Form” and submitting to Health Services.
Currently there are two vaccines available for immunization against meningococcal meningitis – Menomune and Menactra. The date of immunization with either vaccine is acceptable. Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine is available through your personal physician. Meningococcal Meningitis immunization is strongly recommended for those students who plan to reside in on-campus housing.
Due Date
Students need to provide Health Services with the immunization information prior to registering for classes. Students who are not compliant with this regulation will be restricted from enrolling in more than 5 credit hours per semester and/or restricted from class attendance.
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