Name:
Developed by:
Approved by:
Date approved:
Date revised/reviewed:
Medical Student Immunization/Vaccination Requirements and
Proof of Immunity
Nicole Wadsworth, DO, Associate Dean Academic Affairs
Executive Committee
12/02//2014
The Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine requires documentation of immunization and
vaccination of all students. Requirements are guided by current recommendations of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for healthcare personnel. All Heritage College
students are considered healthcare personnel (HCP) because they have direct contact with
patients beginning in year 1 through the CCE program and continuing through clinical rotations.
Students who are accepted to Heritage College will receive a letter from admissions explaining:
■ Immunization/vaccination requirements
■ Serologic proof of immunity requirements
This information may also be obtained from the Heritage College web page.
Prior to matriculation, students are expected to receive required immunizations/vaccinations. .
Influenza immunization is required during flu season.
If a student is unable to provide documentation, he/she is considered unvaccinated.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) requirement:
Appropriate vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella (2 doses of live vaccine given on
or after the first birthday and separated by 28 days or more).
If a student has no documentation of immunizations and a negative titer, two MMR
vaccines are required (4 weeks apart).
If a student has documentation of having received two immunizations and has a negative
titer, one additional MMR vaccine is required. No further titers are required.
Proof of immunity requirement:
Positive or equivocal titer. Equivocal results are considered presumptive evidence of immunity.
Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)
requirement:
One Tdap vaccine is required within 10 years prior to matriculation. Following administration of
one Tdap, a Td will be required every 10 years.
If documentation of a dose of Tdap does not exist or cannot be produced, without regard
to the interval since the previous dose of Td, the student must receive a Tdap.
International students must provide documentation of receiving the primary DTP series
as well as a current Tdap.
Any student may be asked to provide complete documentation of the DTP/DT and polio
primary series depending upon individual hospital requirements.
Proof of immunity requirement:
Documentation of date of immunization and brand name of vaccine.
Hepatitis B Series requirement:
At least 2 of the 3 doses of the Hepatitis B series must be completed according to CDC
immunization guidelines prior to the start of Clinical and Community Experiences. The third
dose must be received prior to December 1 of Year 1.
Proof of immunity requirement:
Positive hepatitis B surface antibodies (greater than 10 mIU/ml). If titer <10 mIU/ml,
indeterminate, borderline or unequivocal, the student must choose one of the following options:
Option # 1
One dose of vaccine and retiter in 30-60 days. If the titer is negative, indeterminate,
borderline or equivocal, the student must finish the series and retiter
Option # 2
A series of 3 doses of with Recombivax HB, Engerix-B or Twinrix and retiter.
If the titer is <10 mIU/ml following Option 1 or Option 2:
Student will be tested for the presence of Hepatitis B virus. If that test is negative, the
student will be labeled a “non-responder” and instructed by the Immunization Nurse
Coordinator on procedures to follow if exposure to Hepatitis B occurs.
Note: Students who have a history of Hepatitis B exposure or who are a Hepatitis B carrier must
adhere to the Heritage College Guidelines for Hepatitis B Prevention and Management. Students
who have results out of the norm will be referred to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and
receive follow up attention with a health care provider.
Varicella requirement:
Two vaccinations following CDC guidelines for varicella vaccination, or history of varicella
(documented by parent, guardian or health care provider) are required. A student who cannot
verify through personal history or history obtained from a parent, guardian or health care
provider that he/she has had chicken pox or vaccinations may elect to first obtain a titer.
Proof of immunity requirement:
Positive or equivocal titer accepted. If a student has received two vaccinations and has a
negative titer, post-exposure prophylaxis with vaccination or varicella-zoster immunoglobulin is
recommended. No further titers are required. If a student presents with a history of varicella
(chicken pox) disease and has a negative titer, 2 varicella vaccines are required (4 weeks between
doses)
Influenza requirement:
One dose of seasonal influenza vaccine is required annually by October 15th. Live attenuated
influenza vaccine (LAIV) may be given only to non-pregnant healthy HCP age 49 years and
younger.
If a student refuses influenza vaccination for medical, religious or philosophical reasons,
a declination form must be signed. Documentation of declination will be filed in
student’s immunization records and electronically.
Documentation of records;
The Office of Academic Affairs maintains immunization records in paper form and
electronically.
It is the responsibility of the CORE Assistant Dean to oversee student immunization
requirements and documentation in Years 3 and 4 (including those students from Affiliate
Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine who are in the CORE system).
Charges for immunizations and antibody titers:
Charges for immunizations and antibody titers are the responsibility of the student.