Requirements

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

New York State Public Health Law §2165 requires all college students born on or after January 1, 1957, who are enrolling for six or more semester hours or the equivalent per semester, to show proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella to attend classes.

Note: Two combined MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccines can be submitted in lieu of the individual vaccines referenced below.

• Measles — Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must submit proof of immunity to measles. Only one of the following is required:
  • The student must submit proof of two doses of live measles vaccine: the first dose given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday and the second at least 28 days after the first dose; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to measles. This means the demonstration of measles antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician that the student has had measles disease; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services; or
  • If a student is unable to access his/her immunization record from a health care provider or previous school, 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 vaccine. If this option is used, the second dose of measles vaccine must have been administered within one year of attendance at a post-secondary institution.
• Mumps — Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must submit proof of immunity to mumps. Only one of the following is required:
  • The student must submit proof of one dose of live mumps vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to mumps. This means the demonstration of mumps antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician that the student has had mumps disease; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.
• Rubella — Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must submit proof of immunity to rubella. Only one of the following is required:
  • The student must submit proof of one dose of live rubella vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to rubella. This means the demonstration of rubella antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory (Since rubella rashes resemble rashes of other diseases, it is impossible to diagnose reliably on clinical grounds alone. Serological evidence is the only permissible alternative to immunization.); or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

Meningococcal Disease

New York State PHL Section §2167 requires post-secondary institutions to distribute information about meningococcal disease and immunization to the students who are enrolling for six or more semester hours or the equivalent per semester, or parents or guardians of students under the age of 18, accompanied by a response form. Acceptable documentation includes any of the following:

• A vaccine record indicating at least 1 dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last 5 years or a complete 2- or 3-dose series of MenB without a response form; or
• A signed response form with a vaccine record (If a student submits a response form selecting this option, a vaccine record must be attached); or
• A signed response form indicating that the student will obtain meningococcal vaccine within 30 days; or
• A signed response form indicating that the student will not obtain immunization against meningococcal disease.

Note: If the student has not received meningococcal vaccine within the past 5 years, then he/she must submit the signed response form.

Exemptions from Immunization Requirements

Medical Exemption

If a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife caring for a pregnant student certifies in writing that the student has a health condition which is a valid contraindication to receiving a specific vaccine, then a permanent or temporary (for resolvable conditions such as pregnancy) exemption may be granted. This statement must specify those immunizations which may be detrimental and the length of time they may be detrimental. In the event of an outbreak, medically exempt individuals should be protected from exposure. This may include exclusion from classes or campus.

Religious Exemption

A student may be exempt from vaccination if, in the opinion of the institution, that student or student's parent(s) or guardian of those less than 18 years old holds genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practice of immunization. The student requesting exemption may or may not be a member of an established religious organization. Requests for exemptions must be written and signed by the student if 18 years of age or older, or parent(s), or guardian if under the age of 18. The institution may require supporting documents. It is not required that a religious exemption statement be notarized. In the event of an outbreak, religious exempt individuals should be protected from exposure. This may include exclusion from classes or campus.

New York City Department of Health

The Health Department's walk-in immunization clinics provide low-cost or no-cost immunizations for anyone 4 years or older. Available vaccines include, but are not limited to, MMR, Hepatitis B, Td, Tdap, and Pneumococcal vaccine. Influenza vaccine is available in all clinics beginning in October of each year. HPV vaccine is also available to girls and women 9-26 years of age.

• NYC Immunization Clinics
• Vaccine Information Statements

Forms

• Immunization Record / MMR & MEN Form
• Meningococcal Vaccination Response Form
• Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet