Immunization Requirement

University Immunization Policy

Purpose/Background

This Policy mitigates the risk of our students contracting vaccine-preventable illnesses that could be acquired at any of our three University campuses. To this end, the University has implemented a collaborative plan that will ultimately require incoming undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to provide proof of vaccination and/or immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases and undergo screening for tuberculosis.

Applicability

This policy requires all matriculating incoming undergraduate, graduate and professional students, studying on any of Pacific's three campuses to meet the immunization requirement by the first day of the first term at the University.

Responsibility

Definitions

Policy Statement

Incoming students are required to obtain and submit proof of immunity from the following diseases and complete a Tuberculosis (TB) screening questionnaire prior to the first day of their first term at the University. 

Notice: All incoming students are REQUIRED to complete the MINIMUM vaccination requirements and undergo screening for Tuberculosis (TB).

Note: Health Profession students are REQUIRED to complete ADDITIONAL immunization requirements and undergo Tuberculosis (TB) testing:

Exemptions to This Policy

• Students with a medical condition that prevents them from being safely vaccinated may apply for a medical exemption
• Students enrolled solely in a distance learning program
• Students enrolled only in non-credit programs

Sanctions for Violations of This Policy

Students that do not meet the requirement by the first day of their first term will have a registration hold placed on the first business day following the add/drop deadline of that term. Reasonable extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis (e.g. late admits, vaccines in progress, etc.) by Student Health Services in consultation with the student’s respective academic program dean, coordinator, director, or designee. Once the student fulfills the requirement, the registration hold will be removed. Falsification of medical records or answering the tuberculosis-screening questionnaire dishonestly will result in a student code of conduct investigation that may result in consequences up to expulsion.

Extensions

Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis (e.g. late admits, vaccines in progress, etc.) by Student Health Services in consultation with the student's respective academic program dean, coordinator, director, or designee.

The University of the Pacific allows for exemptions to immunization requirements based on medical conditions that are contraindications to vaccinations for the following vaccines: MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), Varicella (chickenpox), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) or Meningococcal conjugate (Serogroups A, C, Y, & W-135) for certain groups of students.

A list of established medical contraindications to vaccines can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for Guide to Contraindications.

Starting January 1, 2021, all new medical exemptions for school and child care entry must be issued through CAIR-ME.  Parents can create an account in CAIR-ME and apply for an exemption. They will receive an exemption application number to give to their child’s physician. The physician can register for an account in CAIR-ME and log in to issue the ME.  Once the ME is issued, the physician prints the form and provides a copy to the parents to give to their child’s school or child care facility.

If the exemption is denied, the student must comply with the immunization requirements prior to the next academic term in order to register. 

Required Health & Immunization Requirements

(Audiology, Athletic Training, Clinical Nutrition, Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Music Therapy, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Speech Language Pathology, and Social Work)

Printable Health Requirement Checklist (pdf)

Submit your immunization records on the Medical Portal under Medical Clearance or send a Message to the Immunization Compliance Team.

Physical Examination

• Physical Examination to be completed no greater than 3 months prior to matriculation

Physician Assistant: Annual Requirement

Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer (Blood Test)

• Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer results proving immunity (quantitative preferred; qualitative accepted).
• For negative titer results, submit documentation of previous Hepatitis B vaccination(s) and demonstration series has been restarted.

Nursing Program: Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer proving immunity as a numerical value (within 5 years) and documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination(s). 

Occupational Therapy Program: series of 3 doses only; Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer due prior to clinical experiences

Pharmacy/Physician Assistant Programs: Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer proving immunity as a numerical value (within 5 years).

Physical Therapy:

• Evidence of completion of the Heplisav-B 2-dose vaccination series OR completion of an approved Hepatitis B 3-dose vaccination series
• Evidence of a positive titer for Hepatitis B (with lab report) is also required
• If a student obtains a Hepatitis B titer, and the result is negative/low/equivocal/borderline, the student must provide evidence of a booster AND a repeat titer 
• Students who have submitted proof of at least 1 vaccination for Hepatitis B by the due date can begin classes as long as a formalized plan for completion is in place with the program before the due date

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

• Two documented doses OR Antibody titer proving immunity (quantitative preferred; qualitative accepted)

Nursing Program: Two documented doses AND Antibody titer proving immunity (within 5 years)

Pharmacy/Physician Assistant Programs: MMR antibody titer proving immunity (within 5 years)

Varicella Vaccine (Chickenpox) — Documentation of disease is not acceptable

• Two documented doses OR antibody titer proving immunity (quantitative preferred; qualitative accepted)

Nursing Program: Two documented doses AND antibody titer proving immunity (within 5 years)

Pharmacy/Physician Assistant Programs: Varicella Antibody titer test showing immunity (within 5 years)

Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis) Td Vaccine (Tetanus, and diphtheria toxoids)

• One documented dose of Tdap (after age 10)
• Td booster every 10 years

Nursing Program: One documented dose of Tdap within 10 years of matriculation

Physician Assistant Program: One documented dose of Tdap within 3 years of matriculation

Influenza Vaccine (Annual Requirement due by Nov. 1)

• Documentation of Influenza for current season
• Influenza Declination Form – check with program coordinators if clinical site mandates vaccine and/or mask requirements. Submit declination form to medical portal and to program coordinators.

Dentistry Program: clinics TBA in October

Nursing Program: Annual requirement due by Oct 1.

Tuberculosis Testing Initial Requirement

• No history of positive PPD test or disease:
  • 2 step PPD screening or QFGT blood test within 3 months of matriculation
• History of positive PPD or disease:
  • Chest X-ray within 6 months of matriculation.
  • Documentation of previous BCG vaccination, latent TB or active TB treatment
• Annual Requirement:
  • No history of positive PPD or disease: 1 step PPD
    Pharmacy Program: 2 step PPD/QFGT
    Physical Therapy Program: 2 Step PPD or QFGT must to be completed between Aug. 15-Sept. 30
  • History of positive PPD: complete Tuberculosis review form (additional requirements if medically indicated)

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine

• One documented dose administered at 16 years of age for students under 22 years of age at entrance

COVID-19 Vaccine

• Documentation of up-to-date vaccination Initial dose(s) and booster as soon as eligible. 

Submit your immunization records on the Medical Portal under Medical Clearance or send a Message to the Immunization Compliance Team.

• Complete Health History Questionnaire
• Enter immunization dates and submit immunization/lab documentation
• Acknowledgement of Patient Lab Service Policy
• Acknowledgement of No Show Cancellation Policy & Fee Schedule
• Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practices
• Physical Exam (pdf) strongly recommended but not required
• Complete Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Series
  • Two documented doses OR antibody titer showing immunity 
• Varicella Vaccine (Chickenpox) Series
  • Two documented doses OR antibody titer showing immunity 
  • Documentation of Varicella disease is not acceptable
• Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis)
  • One documented dose of Tdap after age 10
• Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire
  • Students at higher risk for TB infections, as indicated by answering "Yes" to any of the screening questions is required to undergo a PPD skin test, blood test (QFGT), or chest x-ray within 6 months prior to start of matriculation.
  • Provide documentation of previous BCG vaccination, latent TB or active TB treatment
• Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
  • One documented dose given on or after 16 for all students who are under 22 years of age.