Student Immunization

To promote the health of the Rutgers School of Public Health academic community, students are required to have a routine medical history and physical examination, a skin test or X-ray for tuberculosis (T.B.), and proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B.

All students with the exception of visitors and those cross-enrolled are required to submit the following documentation:

REQUIRED: A report from their health care provider of a health history review and physical examination not more than six months prior to the start of classes.

REQUIRED: Documentation from their health care provider of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) on the forms provided by the school. Immunity can be established either by producing a documented history of appropriate immunization or through documentation of positive serologic tests.

REQUIRED: A report of a two-step purified protein derivative (PPD) test placed and read or an FDA-approved blood assay for TB, not more than three months prior to the start classes. Students with no evidence of TB by one of these methods are required to have repeat testing annually. Students who have initial positive PPD or blood assay test results, subsequent PPD test, or blood assay conversions or symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis must be evaluated promptly for active TB. This evaluation should include a history, clinical examination, and chest X-ray.

REQUIRED: Documentation of vaccination against hepatitis B (three doses of vaccine) prior to or within nine months of initial enrollment, or of serologic proof of immunity to hepatitis B. Students may start classes having received one dose of vaccine, but must receive the remaining two doses within six months of initial enrollment; students who have received two doses must receive the remaining dose within four months.

In addition to the above requirements, the School of Public Health encourages all students to update other immunizations as appropriate. These include influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and varicella (chickenpox). In the event that a student does any academic work in a Rutgers patient facility or patient care campus, Rutgers may require immunization against influenza and varicella.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS: Students residing in university student housing must receive or have proof of having received one dose of meningococcal vaccine. Other students shall be provided information on meningococcal disease and the meningococcal vaccine upon enrollment.

Student should review the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Student Immunization and Health Requirements policy at http://academicaffairs.rutgers.edu/additional-resources/rbhs-policies for detailed information on student immunizations. To upload immunization documents, students should visit http://njms.rutgers.edu/departments/family_medicine/shs/documents/ImmunePacketCat4RU.pdf.