Immunization Information

Under Section 2165 of the New York State Public Health Law, students attending post-secondary institutions are required to demonstrate immunity against measles*, mumps and rubella. This requirement includes full and part-time undergraduate, graduate and professional students born on or after January 1, 1957. Minimum vaccine requirements are:

• 2 doses of live measles virus vaccine, the first dose administered on, or after the first birthday and the 2^nd dose administered more than 28 days after the first dose but after 15 months of age;

• 1 dose of live rubella virus vaccine administered on or after the first birthday;

• 1 dose of live mumps virus vaccine administered on or after the first birthday;

• If the student is unable to provide a certificate of immunization that satisfies the above requirements, documentation that proves the student attended primary or secondary school in the United States after 1980 will be sufficient proof that the student received one dose of live measles virus vaccine. If such documentation is provided, then the student must also provide a certificate of immunization that documents a dose of measles vaccine was administered within one year prior to attendance at the post-secondary institution.

* Measles vaccine doses administered prior to 1968 are not valid unless the record specifically states it was live vaccine.

In 1998 New York State Public Health Law 2165 was amended. The amendment reads that:

“proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within ten years from the date of application to an institution shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services. If while awaiting the receipt of actual immunization records a health risk shall arise at an institution, a student presenting a certificate under the terms of this subdivision shall be removed from the institution if proper immunization cannot be proved or otherwise rectified.”

The amendment further reads “This act shall take effect immediately.”

Information taken from Immunization Guidelines for Health Care Providers 1998

**NOTE: New York State Public Health law requires all incoming students to document immunity to measles, rubella, and mumps, prior to enrollment.

There are several ways to show compliance:

· Records must be signed by a health care provider or public school official.

· Students born before 1/1/57 are age exempt.

· Medical exemption

· Religious exemption (not philosophical)

· Blood work to show immunity

· Verification of military service can be used as proof of one measles.

· Physician verification of disease for measles and mumps, NOT rubella.

Please note: If you are not able to provide documentation, you can receive free immunizations from your local County Health Department.

The following rules will apply:

1. Only the following exemptions will be accepted and statements must accompany this record Medical Contraindications: A written, signed, and dated statement from a physician stating the vaccine that is contraindicated and duration or medical condition that contraindicates the vaccine(s).

Religious Exemption: A written signed and dated statement by the student (or parent/guardian if the student is a minor) describing his/her objection to immunization based upon bona fide religious tenets or practice.

Pregnancy or Suspected Pregnancy: A signed statement from a physician stating that the student is pregnant or pregnancy is suspected.

2. Anyone with a vaccine exemption may be excluded from the college in the event of an outbreak or measles, rubella, and mumps in accordance with public health law.

3. All records not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

You need to provide the required documentation by Orientation in order to remain in compliance with the enrollment requirements of Houghton College P.A.C.E. Students not in compliance, or who have not show a good faith effort to comply, could be initially barred from attendance and face eventual termination from the Houghton College P.A.C.E. program if documentation is not provided. Please contact your advisor with any questions.