The Catholic University of America

Immunization Requirements for Students

 

Approved by: President
History: Issued -- 1979
  Revised -- November 3, 2008
  Additional History
Related Policies:  
Additional References: Student Health Services;

DC Code 38-501 et seq.
DCMR Title 22 §§ 147-152
Responsible Official: Medical Director, Student Health Services, (202)319-5744
 

I. Introduction: This policy addresses immunization record requirements for students at The Catholic University of America.

II. Definitions:

a. Immunization record: The medical record reviewed and signed by a healthcare provider verifying that these immunizations were administered. The required form to submit the information will be made available to the student.

b. Medical Waiver: Statement provided by a healthcare provider stating medical reasons to release the student from the immunization requirements.

c. Religious Waiver: Statement from appropriate religious official to provide reasons for releasing student from immunization requirement.

III. DC Immunization Law

The District of Columbia Immunization Law (§ 38-502) and university policy requires all students* that are enrolled in an academic institution and are under the age of 26 years of age (unless the student has a Medical Waiver or Religious Waiver approved by Student Health Services) to provide documentation of immunity to certain preventable diseases. The Catholic University of America, in accordance with this law, requires that this documentation be submitted by all students under the age of 26 years.

The required immunizations are:

  • Two doses of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR).
    The first dose must be given on or after the first birthday.
  • Three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine or be currently receiving the series.
  • A Tetanus booster within the ten years prior to enrollment. Tdap is currently recommended for one booster dose if it has not already been received.
  • Clinical history of having had varicella (chickenpox) or date(s) of the vaccine. Two doses are required if the first dose is received on or after the thirteenth birthday.
  • Polio vaccine series is required for those students under the age of 19 years.

Serologic titers which document immunity to varicella, Hepatitis B and Measles, Mumps and Rubella are acceptable in the place of vaccine dates. Additionally, as a matter of CUA policy, ALL freshmen are required to receive the vaccine against meningococcal meningitis or sign a waiver declining the vaccine. The form to submit the immunization information and the meningitis waiver form are available on-line on the Student Health Services web page at http://health.cua.edu/.

IV. Deadlines

The immunization forms must be submitted to Student Health Services by the designated date on the immunization form for those students matriculating in the fall semester. For those students matriculating in the spring semester immunization forms are due prior to the first day of class. Various graduate programs and transfer students' deadlines may vary and will be accommodated.

A late fee determined by the annual institutional fee structure will be billed to the student account of any student whose record is received after the deadlines. This fee will also be assessed to students whose records are received incomplete and are not up to date by the same deadlines.

 

V. Noncompliance

A student who has not provided documentation of immunity to Student Health Services as required by this policy jeopardizes their continued enrollment at the university. A restrictive hold will be placed on that student's account preventing registration for the following semester until the above noted documentation has been provided.


 * Distance Education students not physically present on campus are exempted from this policy.