Students enrolled in any of the Allied Health Career programs may be at risk for exposure to serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. If you work directly with patients or handle material that could spread infection, you should get appropriate vaccinations to reduce the chance that you will get or spread vaccine-preventable diseases. Protect yourself, your patients, and your family members.
Students must have the required vaccinations prior to attending any clinical component for any of the Allied Health Careers programs/courses. All records are to be submitted by the due date of your program/course for review process. Failure to submit records in timely manner may lead to dismissal from that program or course.
Titer results of immunity is the preferred and recommended method for Allied Health Careers programs and courses. A titer is a laboratory test that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in blood. A titer may be used to prove immunity to disease. A blood sample is taken and tested.
- If the test is positive (above a particular known value) the individual has immunity.
- If the test is negative (no immunity) or equivocal (not enough immunity) you need to be vaccinated.
A Titer Lab Report is generated by the lab that tested the blood sample. The Titer Lab Report must include the test type, exact values, signature, and date.
| Immunization | Vocational Nursing | Medical Assistant | Certified Nursing Aid | Emergency Medical Technician |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Hepatitis B | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Tdap | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Varicella | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Tuberculosis test | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Flu vaccine | Recommended. May be required by clinical site | Recommended. May be required by clinical site | Recommended. May be required by clinical site | Recommended. May be required by clinical site |
The following serve as the approved sources for verifying immunizations:
- High School Records: Your immunization records do not transfer automatically, you must request a copy.
- Personal Shot Records: Must be verified by a doctor's stamp or signature and by a clinic or health department stamp.
- Military Records: Must be verified by a doctor's stamp or signature.
- Previous College: Your immunization records do not transfer automatically, you must request a copy.
| Required Immunization | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Measles (Rubeola) antibody; IgG (lab test) |
Two (2) doses of measles vaccine (MMR) if born after January 1, 1957 administered on or after your birthday and at least 30 days apart, or lab report of positive rubeola titer. |
| Mumps Virus antibody; IgG (lab test) |
Two (2) dose of mumps vaccine (MMR) administered on or after first birthday, or lab report of positive mumps titer. |
| German Measles (Rubella) antibody; IgG (lab test) |
One (1) dose of rubella vaccine (MMR) administered on or after first birthday; or lab report of positive rubella titer. |
| Hepatitis B Virus Surface antibody (lab test) |
HepB Surface Antibody titer (blood test) is required for Allied Health Careers students enrolled in health programs. All students MUST provide documentation of the Hep B shot series of 3 if received Engerix vaccination. If received Dynavax vaccination, must show 2 shot series. If you have not received prior to this you must complete a three (3) dose series (second dose one [1] month and third dose six [6] months after first dose). The titer must be followed by the sixth month dose to confirm immunity. Lab test approximately 6 to 8 weeks post 3rd dose of Hep B. A positive titer indicates immunity. MUST have documentation of shot series included A negative titer indicates no immunity and you will need to repeat the series unless otherwise indicated by your provider. |
| Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) |
The Tdap vaccination includes Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Whopping cough). One (1) dose within the past 10 years. |
| Varicella (Chickenpox) Series; Varicella Zoster Virus Antibody; IgG (lab test) |
Two (2) dose series (second dose one [1] month after first dose); or a physician validated history of the disease; or lab report of positive varicella titer. |
| 2-Step Tuberculosis (TB) test |
Within the past 6 months, even for those who have received BCG vaccine as a child. If skin test or IGRA is positive, a chest x-ray documenting no active tuberculosis must be submitted with immunization form. Second TB test to be completed 1 to 3 weeks after first test. Need documentation of both to include results of each test. TB questionnaire required. |
| Influenza vaccine |
Current with flu season. May be required/mandatory by the clinical site. Students are strongly encouraged to receive the flu vaccination when available. |
NOTE: Reports specifying immunization information MUST include the name of the healthcare provider and facility providing the information.
Exemptions permitted by law are for students who can provide proof that a healthcare provider has determined that it would be a health risk for the student to have the vaccine.
Upon negative or non-immune results:
- Booster doses are required if titer results for MMR are "non-immune", "negative", or "equivocal".
- Repeat Hepatitis B series of three (3) injection for a "non-reactive" result. A repeat Hepatitis B titer is required 6-8 weeks after the final injection.
- Two (2) doses of Varivax vaccine for a "negative" or "equivocal" Varicella result.
