Vaccination Policy
The 黑料不打烊 requires all students taking classes on campus to have proof of certain vaccinations. As per the American College Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control, immunizations offer safe and effective protection from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks. To minimize the risk of a campus outbreak, students must provide proof of vaccination/titers or a waiver indicating why a student is not vaccinated. Not vaccinated students should be aware that in the event of an outbreak, they may be required to leave campus and/or not be able to attend class, participate in University activities, or access University facilities/campus buildings. There are limited reasons why a student may waive these requirements under Pennsylvania law.
Required Vaccinations
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Two doses of MMR at least 28 days apart after 12 months of age. Students may submit laboratory titers if unable to provide proof of vaccination.
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap): One dose of Tdap after age 11.
Varicella (Chicken Pox): Two doses of vaccine at least 12 weeks apart if vaccinated between 1 and 12 years of age and at least 4 weeks apart if vaccinated at age 13 or older. Students may submit laboratory titers if unable to provide proof of vaccination.
Meningococcal A, C, Y, W-135 (Meningitis): Pennsylvania State Law prohibits a student from residing in residential housing unless the student has received a one-time booster vaccination against meningococcal disease after age 16. Therefore, ALL residential students must have proof of this vaccine. The University also highly recommends that any local student intending to live off campus with other college students should be vaccinated before occupancy.
An initial dose is given at 11-12 years of age, and the booster dose is given at 16 years of age or older.
Vaccine Exemption Requests
Students may request a medical or religious vaccine exemption in accordance with applicable law. Vaccine exemption requests must be accompanied by medical or religious documentation. Medical documentation must come from a healthcare provider specifying the contraindication and the Immunization Waiver Request Form.
Immunization Waiver Request form and, if applicable, the Meningitis Waiver form. After completing Waiver Request forms, please upload your forms and supporting documentation in your Student Health Portal by following the instructions below:
- Log in to your
- Click “Upload” from the menu bar at the top of the page
- Choose which document you are uploading from the drop-down list (i.e., Immunization Waiver Request Form)
- Please ensure your name, Royal Number, and date of birth are all on supporting documentation.
- Click select file to see all of your electronic files on your computer or smartphone
- Click on the electronic file you want to upload
- Click Upload
Waiver submissions will be reviewed, and students will be emailed to be notified of the status of their Immunization Waiver Request.
Recommended Vaccinations
Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine: This vaccine is effective against most of the more common meningococcal infections caused by serogroup B.
Hepatitis B: A series of three doses is given.
Influenza: Recommended annually for all members of the campus community.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Two or three doses of vaccine are required, depending on the product.
Hepatitis A: Two doses given 6-18 months apart.
COVID-19: CDC recommends that people ages 6 months and older receive at least 1 bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.