Vaccination Policies

Under 105 CMR 220.600 “Immunization Requirements for Postsecondary Students,” in order to be registered at an institution of higher learning, every (1) full-time undergraduate or graduate student and (2) every full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student in a program must present a physician’s certificate that such student has received the following immunizations:

Hepatitis B vaccine three doses are required for all full-time freshmen. The accepted schedule for HepB is dose #2 is 4 weeks after the first and the 3rd dose is 5 months after the #2. A pediatric 2 dose HepB is acceptable upon proper documentation of the type of dose, and dates given.

MMR: Beginning September 1, 2011, 2 doses of live measles, mumps and rubella vaccine will be required for all full-time freshmen. These doses must be given at least four weeks apart beginning at or after 12 months of age.

Varicella: Beginning on September 1, 2011, 2 doses of live varicella vaccine will be required for full-time freshmen; these 2 doses must be given at least four weeks apart beginning at or after 12 months of age.

Tdap: Beginning on September 1, 2011, a single dose of Tdap will be required for full-time freshmen, if it has been more than five years since the last dose of Td. If it has been less than 5 years since the last dose of Td, Tdap will not be required, but may be administered according to the judgment of a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

The requirements of 105 CMR 220.600, shall not apply where:

• the student provides written documentation that he or she meets the standards for medical or religious exemption set forth in M.G.L.c.76, §15C;
• the student provides appropriate documentation, including a copy of a school immunization record, indicating receipt of the required immunizations;

OR

• in the case of measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis, the student presents laboratory evidence of immunity.

Students may be registered on the condition that the required immunizations are obtained within 30 days of registration. You may obtain the vaccination record from your high school, personal physician, or military records. If you are unable to obtain your record, you may be re-immunized or may obtain blood work to prove immunization. Failure to provide the required immunization records may prevent you from receiving your grades, registering for classes, adding or dropping a class, or receiving your transcripts.

NOTE: A blood test (called a titer) can be used as proof of immunity to the required immunizations. Most insurances do not cover the cost of these lab tests.