All Pacific non-health professionals and employees are not required to have COVID-19 vaccinations. Enrolled health sciences professionals are required to have COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster. More information can be found here on our COVID-19 Update site.
University Immunization Policy
Policy Title | Immunization Policy |
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Policy Category* | Safety and Security |
Policy Owner | Student Life |
Initial Policy Approved | 02/1/2019 |
Current Revision Approved | 04/8/2022 |
Scheduled Revision Date | Annual review and revisions based on CDC immunization updates |
Last Updated | 03/21/2022 |
Policy Scope | University-Wide, all three campuses |
Related Policies | Immunization medical exemption policy |
Related Forms | University Immunization Medical Exemption Form |
Purpose/Background
This Policy mitigates the risk of our students contracting vaccine-preventable illnesses that could be acquired at any of our three University campuses. To this end, the University has implemented a collaborative plan that will ultimately require incoming undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to provide proof of vaccination and/or immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases and undergo screening for tuberculosis.
Applicability
This policy requires all matriculating incoming undergraduate, graduate and professional students, studying on any of Pacific's three campuses to meet the immunization requirement by the first day of the first term at the University.
Responsibility
Contact | Responsible Items |
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Student Health Services (SHS) | Oversight of the development, implementation, and enforcement of this policy that includes placing and removing academic holds. SHS operates under the oversight of the Vice President of Student Life. |
Office of Admissions for all three campuses | Communicating the pre-enrollment immunization requirements to students as part of the student acceptance packets and admissions website. |
Assistant Dean of Students | Reviews and resolves alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct and University Policies related to falsification of immunization records and student non-compliance. |
Academic Deans and Program Directors/ Coordinators | Disseminates immunization requirement communications to all new incoming students in their programs. |
Definitions
Term | Definition |
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Incoming Students | All matriculating (degree seeking) incoming undergraduate and professional students, studying on any of Pacific's three campuses for a period of one academic quarter/semester or longer. |
Health Profession Academic Programs | Athletic Training, Music Therapy, Dental, Dental Hygiene, Physician Assistant, Audiology, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Nutrition, Social Work, Nursing |
Distant Learning Programs | Online educational programs (students are not physically present on campus) |
In Progress | Students have been in contact with student health services via medical portal, email, or in person and are in process of completing the requirement. |
Policy Statement
Incoming students are required to obtain and submit proof of immunity from the following diseases and complete a Tuberculosis (TB) screening questionnaire prior to the first day of their first term at the University.
Notice: All incoming students are REQUIRED to complete the MINIMUM vaccination requirements and undergo screening for Tuberculosis (TB).
Minimum Vaccination Requirements & Screening | Required Dosage & Screening Information |
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Vaccine: Measles, Mumps and Rubella(MMR) |
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Varicella (Chickenpox) |
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Vaccine: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) |
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Vaccine: Meningococcal conjugate (Serogroups A, C, Y, & W‐135) |
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Screening: Tuberculosis (TB)
*Health Profession Academic Students DO NOT need to submit this screening. Students are required to meet the Tuberculosis Skin Testing (TST) requirement for health profession academic programs listed below. |
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Note: Health Profession students are REQUIRED to complete ADDITIONAL immunization requirements and undergo Tuberculosis (TB) testing:
Additional Vaccination Requirements & Screening |
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Vaccine: Hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B) Proof of Immunity: Hepatitis B antibody titer blood test |
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Vaccine: Influenza vaccine (Flu) |
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Tuberculosis Skin Testing (TST): No history of positive TST or disease
History of positive TST, Blood Test or disease Chest X-ray within 6 months prior to the first day of their first term at the University. |
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Covid-19 vaccine |
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Recommended Vaccinations | |
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Hepatitis A vaccine (Hep A) |
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Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) |
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Influenza vaccine (Flu) |
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Meningococcal B (Meningitis B) |
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Meningococcal conjugate (Meningitis) |
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Pneumococcal vaccine |
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Polio virus vaccine (Polio) |
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Vaccines for international travel |
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Exemptions to This Policy
- Students with a medical condition that prevents them from being safely vaccinated may apply for a medical exemption
- Students enrolled solely in a distance learning program
- Students enrolled only in non-credit programs
Sanctions for Violations of This Policy
Students that do not meet the requirement by the first day of their first term will have a registration hold placed on the first business day following the add/drop deadline of that term. Reasonable extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis (e.g. late admits, vaccines in progress, etc.) by Student Health Services in consultation with the student’s respective academic program dean, coordinator, director, or designee. Once the student fulfills the requirement, the registration hold will be removed. Falsification of medical records or answering the tuberculosis-screening questionnaire dishonestly will result in a student code of conduct investigation that may result in consequences up to expulsion.
Extensions
Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis (e.g. late admits, vaccines in progress, etc.) by Student Health Services in consultation with the student's respective academic program dean, coordinator, director, or designee.
Contact Information
Subject |
Department |
Phone |
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Immunization Policy & Procedure Committee Chair |
Vice President of Student Life |
209.946.2107 |
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Policy & Procedure Oversight |
Associate Vice President of Student Life |
209.946.2107 |
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Immunization Policy & Procedures |
Director of Student Health Services |
209.946.2107 |
mblandizzi@pacific.edu |
Related Information
University Links |
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Forms |
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Related Links |
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Procedures |
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The University of the Pacific allows for exemptions to immunization requirements based on medical conditions that are contraindications to vaccinations for the following vaccines: MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), Varicella (chickenpox), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) or Meningococcal conjugate (Serogroups A, C, Y, & W-135) for certain groups of students.
A list of established medical contraindications to vaccines can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for Guide to Contraindications.
Starting January 1, 2021, all new medical exemptions for school and child care entry must be issued through CAIR-ME. Parents can create an account in CAIR-ME and apply for an exemption. They will receive an exemption application number to give to their child’s physician. The physician can register for an account in CAIR-ME and log in to issue the ME. Once the ME is issued, the physician prints the form and provides a copy to the parents to give to their child’s school or child care facility.
If the exemption is denied, the student must comply with the immunization requirements prior to the next academic term in order to register.
Influenza Vaccine
- Documentation of Influenza vaccine for the current season.
- Influenza Vaccination Declination Form (pdf) - Submit declination form to the Medical Portal and to your program coordinators.
Required Health & Immunization Requirements
(Audiology, Athletic Training, Clinical Nutrition, Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Music Therapy, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Speech Language Pathology, and Social Work)
Printable Health Requirement Checklist (pdf)
- Complete Health History Questionnaire
- Enter immunization dates and submit records/lab documentation
- Acknowledgement of Patient Lab Service Policy
- Acknowledgement of No Show Cancellation Policy & Fee Schedule
- Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practices
- Acknowledgement of Telehealth Consent
Physical Examination
- Physical Examination to be completed no greater than 3 months prior to matriculation
Physician Assistant and Nursing Programs: Annual Requirement
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer (Blood Test)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer results proving immunity (quantitative preferred; qualitative accepted).
- For negative titer results, submit documentation of previous Hepatitis B vaccination(s) and demonstration series has been restarted.
Nursing Program: Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer proving immunity as a numerical value (within 5 years) and documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination(s).
Occupational Therapy Program: series of 3 doses only; Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer due prior to clinical experiences
Pharmacy/Physician Assistant Programs: Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer proving immunity as a numerical value (within 5 years).
Physical Therapy:
- Evidence of completion of the Heplisav-B 2-dose vaccination series OR completion of an approved Hepatitis B 3-dose vaccination series
- Evidence of a positive titer for Hepatitis B (with lab report) is also required
- If a student obtains a Hepatitis B titer, and the result is negative/low/equivocal/borderline, the student must provide evidence of a booster AND a repeat titer
- Students who have submitted proof of at least 1 vaccination for Hepatitis B by the due date can begin classes as long as a formalized plan for completion is in place with the program before the due date
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Two documented doses OR Antibody titer proving immunity (quantitative preferred; qualitative accepted)
Nursing Program: Two documented doses AND Antibody titer proving immunity (within 5 years)
Pharmacy/Physician Assistant Programs: MMR antibody titer proving immunity (within 5 years)
Varicella Vaccine (Chickenpox) — Documentation of disease is not acceptable
- Two documented doses OR antibody titer proving immunity (quantitative preferred; qualitative accepted)
Nursing Program: Two documented doses AND antibody titer proving immunity (within 5 years)
Pharmacy/Physician Assistant Programs: Varicella Antibody titer test showing immunity (within 5 years)
Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis) Td Vaccine (Tetanus, and diphtheria toxoids)
- One documented dose of Tdap (after age 10)
- Td booster every 10 years
Nursing Program: One documented dose of Tdap within 3 years of matriculation AND Tdap and Tdap antibody titer test showing immunity. (within 5 years)
Physician Assistant Program: One documented dose of Tdap within 3 years of matriculation
Influenza Vaccine (Annual Requirement due by Nov. 1)
- Documentation of Influenza for current season
- Influenza Declination Form – check with program coordinators if clinical site mandates vaccine and/or mask requirements. Submit declination form to medical portal and to program coordinators.
Dentistry Program: clinics TBA in October
Nursing Program: Annual requirement due by Oct 1.
Tuberculosis Testing Initial Requirement
- No history of positive PPD test or disease:
- 2 step PPD screening or QFGT blood test within 3 months of matriculation
- History of positive PPD or disease:
- Chest X-ray within 6 months of matriculation.
- Documentation of previous BCG vaccination, latent TB or active TB treatment
- Annual Requirement:
- No history of positive PPD or disease: 1 step PPD
Pharmacy Program: 2 step PPD/QFGT
Physical Therapy Program: 2 Step PPD or QFGT must to be completed between Aug. 15-Sept. 30 - History of positive PPD: complete Tuberculosis review form (additional requirements if medically indicated)
- No history of positive PPD or disease: 1 step PPD
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
- One documented dose administered at 16 years of age for students under 22 years of age at entrance
COVID-19 Vaccine
- Documentation of up-to-date vaccination Initial dose(s) and booster as soon as eligible.
Login: go.pacific.edu/myhealth — located under the Medical Clearance Tab
- Complete Health History Questionnaire
- Enter immunization dates and submit immunization/lab documentation
- Acknowledgement of Patient Lab Service Policy
- Acknowledgement of No Show Cancellation Policy & Fee Schedule
- Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practices
- Physical Exam (pdf) strongly recommended but not required
- Complete Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Series
- Two documented doses OR antibody titer showing immunity
- Varicella Vaccine (Chickenpox) Series
- Two documented doses OR antibody titer showing immunity
- Documentation of Varicella disease is not acceptable
- Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis)
- One documented dose of Tdap after age 10
- Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire
- Students at higher risk for TB infections, as indicated by answering "Yes" to any of the screening questions is required to undergo a PPD skin test, blood test (QFGT), or chest x-ray within 6 months prior to start of matriculation.
- Provide documentation of previous BCG vaccination, latent TB or active TB treatment
- Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
- One documented dose given on or after 16 for all students who are under 22 years of age.
For more information about student health insurance and waiver requirements, visit our health insurance page. Current students can visit our insurance office page.