Immunization Requirements
Emerson College policy and Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulations require students to complete the Emerson College Health Form (mailed from the Admissions office upon confirmation of enrollment).
Students are required to complete a health history and tuberculosis-screening questionnaire as well as provide verification of mandated immunizations. Detailed information is provided on the form and in the informational sheets accompanying the Health Form.
The following immunizations are required:
- Measles - 2 doses on /after first birthday or 2 MMR’s (Combined measles, mumps & rubella vaccine)
- Mumps 2 doses or MMR
- Rubella 2 doses or MMR
- Hepatitis B - 3 doses ( initial, 1mo & 6 mo. from first dose )
- Tetanus booster 1 dose within last 10 years
- Meningococcal Vaccine - 1 dose (within last 5 years)for all undergraguate students
If you are unable to provide documentation of immunization dates you may submit a laboratory report of immunity. Contact your clinician to arrange for testing. If you have a medical condition, that prevents immunization, your clinician should complete the medical exemption portion of the form. If immunization contradicts your religious belief, you may request a religious exemption agreement from the Center for Health and Wellness.
The Health Form, including immunization verification is due by September 30th for fall semester and February 15th for the spring semester. Students who do not provide documentation on or before the due date will not be allowed to attend Emerson College.
Meningococcal Immunization - New as of January 2007**
Emerson College has followed the guidelines of the American College Health Association in recommending the Meningococcal vaccine since 1997. Other health agencies including the Center for Disease Control’s Academy of Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics formally endorsed the ACHA and CDC recommendations in December of 2000. As of July 2004 thirty-two states had adopted meningitis education or immunization regulations for college students. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved legislation effective August 2005 requiring colleges to provide information about Meningococcal disease to all entering students. The legislation has been amended effective January 2007. Emerson college policy requires all entering undergraduates to comply with the meningoccocol requirement. Detailed information is included with the Health Form .
The new Meningococcal regulation, unlike other required pre-matriculation immunizations also allows a student or their parent/legal guardian (if student is under the age of 18) to waive receipt of this vaccine.
Emerson College Center for Health and Wellness will provide an opportunity for students to be immunized during Orientation week if they are unable to obtain the vaccine prior to arrival on campus. An order form is included with the Meningococcal information sheet. The cost of the vaccine.
