Student Immunization and Health Policy

Immunization and Health Requirements

  1. All students MUST provide proof of health insurance prior to matriculation. Each student’s personal health insurance policy must remain active throughout their participation in the program. 
  2. Students are financially responsible for the cost of all health care services they may require while enrolled in the program, including any health care services required as a result of their participation in scheduled program activities (e.g. TB testing, immunizations, treatment of injuries, pathogen exposure evaluation and treatment).  
  3. The following health requirements are mandatory and must be fully complied with prior to matriculation:
    • Tuberculosis: One of the following completed within the past 12 months is required:  
      • Two-step TB skin test (administered 1-3 weeks apart);  
      • QuantiFERON Gold blood test (lab report required); or  
      • If positive results, submit a clear chest x-ray (lab report required)
    • Immunizations: Students must be current on all required immunizations. Either record of immunization or serologic proof of immunity must be provided for all listed conditions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for health care personnel, to include, but may not be limited to: 
      • Hepatitis B:  BOTH of the following are required:  
        • A complete vaccination series AND  
        • A positive antibody titer (lab report required)
      • If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must repeat the series and provide a 2nd titer.
      • Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR): One of the following is required: 
        • 2 vaccinations: The first vaccination MUST be administered AFTER the age of 1 regardless of vaccination type. Vaccinations can be a combined MMR vaccination, however if individualized vaccinations are submitted you MUST submit 2 vaccinations for Mumps and Measles and 1 vaccination for Rubella; OR 
        • Positive antibody titer (lab report required) for all 3 components. If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must receive 1 booster vaccine (administered after your titer) and provide a 2nd titer.  
      • Varicella: One of the following is required: 
        • 2 vaccinations OR 
        • Positive antibody titer (lab report required)
        • If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must repeat the series. 
      • Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: One of the following is required: 
        • Documentation of a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) vaccination administered within the past 10 years OR 
        • Documentation of a Tdap vaccination administered from any time AND a Td (Tetanus & Diphtheria) booster administered within the past 10 years. Renewal will be set for 10 years from the most recent vaccination. Upon renewal, a Td booster is required. 
      • Influenza: Students will be required to obtain influenza immunization annually while enrolled in the program. 
    • Other Immunizations: Students may occasionally be involved in patient care activities that require additional immunizations or disease prophylaxis. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the PD/CED to determine if any additional precautions are necessary. 

Clinical sites may require additional vaccinations and documentation. 

Students who have a medical contraindication for specific vaccinations may have additional requirements mandated (e.g., students who have a medical contraindication for influenza vaccination may be required to wear a mask during the entire influenza season).  Some clinical facilities do not permit students who have not had the influenza vaccination for medical reasons, even with use of a mask.  Changes in clinical site requirements may necessitate change in clinical rotation assignment or the inability to be placed on clinical clerkships. 

Historical documentation without primary source evidence of tuberculosis screening, immunizations and/or serologic proof of immunity will not satisfy the program’s documentation requirements.  

The following qualify as legitimate proof of immunization/TB testing status: 

  • Copies of the applicant’s medical record(s) on which administration and results of tuberculosis screening data is recorded. 
  • Copies of the applicant’s medical record(s) on which administration of the immunization series is documented by the immunization provider (including immunization cards signed by the administering health care professional/agency). 
  • Copies of the laboratory report(s) documenting results of serologic testing for immunity (antibody test results). 
  • Copies of the applicant’s medical record(s) or a letter from the applicant’s health care provider documenting immunization non-conversion and explaining the process by which that conclusion was reached. 

Immunization records must be submitted to the CastleBranch compliance tracking system, NOT to the Physician Assistant Department.  The PA program will access CastleBranch to ensure completion of required immunizations and TB screening of all students.  Students will be provided access to CastleBranch online files.   The Program Director, Principal Faculty, Medical Director, or Program Staff WILL NOT participate as health care providers for students enrolled in the program.  A record of the student’s completed immunization requirements will be placed in the student file. Student health records are kept confidential and not accessible by the Program or Program Faculty, except for immunization and screening results, which may be maintained and released with written permission from the student.

Secret Link