New, Returning, or Transfer Student Immunization FAQs
What do I need to do?
- What Health Forms do I need to complete if I'm a new or transfer student?
- What vaccines are required for a new student?
- What are the recommended vaccines for a student?
- Am I required to get the Meningitis shot in New York State?
- Do I need to get a PPD skin test for tuberculosis in order to attend UB?
- How do I contact your office if I have further questions?
How can I comply with the requirements?
- How can I obtain the Health Background Form?
- Where do I send the Health Background Form?
- What is the deadline for the form to be received by Student Health Services?
- What are the ways I can document immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)?
- What do I do if I've already complied with the MMR requirement and I just need to comply with the Meningitis Information Law requirement?
- What do I do if I’ve already complied with the MMR requirement and I just need to comply with UB’s Mandatory Tuberculosis Screening form?
- What if I want to request a medical or religious exemption from the vaccination requirement?
- How can I obtain any of the required or recommended vaccines from UB Health Services? What is the cost? And will my insurance cover this cost?
What happens if I fail to comply with the requirements?
- What will occur if I do not comply with these requirements?
- If I have an immunization "I" check-stop on my student account, how can I get it removed?
What Health Forms do I need to complete if I'm a new or transfer student?
All new and transfer UB Students must complete the Health Background Form once they have been accepted to UB and have decided to attend the University.
How can I obtain the Health Background Form?
Go to the Health Background Form to obtain a printer friendly version of the required form. The immunization portion of this form must be signed by a health care provider. It is also acceptable to attach your previous immunization records to this form.
Where do I send the Health Background Form?
Please make a copy of the form for your personal records before you send in the form to UB Student Health Services. Our address is:
University at Buffalo Student Health Services
Michael Hall, 3435 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
What is the deadline for the form to be received by Student Health Services?
The form must be received within 1 month of the start of your first semester here at the University.
What vaccines are required for a new student?
According to New York State law, new students must document their immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR).
What are the ways I can document immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella?
2 doses of the MMR vaccine: First dose must be given after the first birthday; second dose at least 28 days after the first dose. OR, proof of individual disease immunity as follows:
Proof of Measles Immunity Requirement:
- TWO doses of Measles Vaccine given on or after the first birthday, and at least 30 days apart (preferably three months). Vaccines given prior to 1968 are only valid if proven to be live vaccine without gamma globulin, or
- Physician diagnoses and documented history of the disease; or Serologic evidence of immunity; or
- Proof of attendance in a U.S. primary or secondary school after 1980, PLUS proof of a second dose of live measles virus vaccine administered within one year prior to attending UB.
Proof of Mumps Immunity Requirement:
- One dose of Mumps vaccine on or after the first birthday, given after January 1, 1969, or
- Physician documented history of disease; or Serologic immunity
Proof of Rubella Immunity Requirement:
- One dose of Rubella vaccine on or after the first birthday, given after January 1, 1969, or
- Serologic evidence of immunity. (History of illness is not acceptable).
What are the recommended vaccines for a student?
PPD (Tuberculosis skin test), Tetanus, Varicella (Chickenpox), Hepatitis B Series (3 shots), Meningococcal (Meningitis) Vaccine. Some information on these vaccines is below:
- Tuberculin Skin Test (PPD): All students with no prior history of positive PPD should have a Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test within 12 months. (Note: Tine Test cannot be substituted for PPD; Prior BCG or pregnancy is not an exemption; Chest X-Ray cannot be substituted for PPD; Chest X-Ray is required if PPD is positive or if student has a prior history of a positive PPD.
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: All students should have received an immunizing series and a booster within the last 10 years; Tdap is preferred.
- Hepatitis B Vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association (ACHA) recommend vaccination with the Hepatitis B vaccine series. This series consists of three doses given over a period of 6 months.
- Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine: The CDC and ACHA recommend the vaccine series for those students who have not had the chicken pox. For adults, this is a two dose vaccine series.
- Meningococcal (Meningitis) Vaccine: The CDC and ACHA recommend that college students consider this vaccine, which offers some protection against bacterial meningitis. College students, particularly students who live in residence halls, are at increased risk for meningitis.
- HPV Vaccine: This vaccine targets four strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) -- HPV-6, 11, 16, and 18. HPV-16 and HPV-18 account for about 70% of all cervical cancers. HPV-6 and -11 cause about 90% of genital warts. HPV is also linked to anal cancer. The Centers for Disease Control recommends the vaccine for women age 13 to 26 who did not receive the vaccine at an earlier age.
Am I required to get the Meningitis vaccine in New York State?
No. New York State simply mandates that students are educated on Meningococcal Disease and the availability of the Meningitis Vaccine. The education is required-whether the student chooses to receive the vaccine or not is up to them. New York State law mandates that students who do not want to take the vaccine must decline in writing or by electronic signature. More details on the Meningitis Education Law are below:
- Meningitis Education Law and Requirement: New York State Public Health Law requires that all college and university students enrolled for at least six (6) semester hours or the equivalent per semester, or at least four (4) semester hours per quarter, complete the Meningitis Response Area of the Health Background Form. Please note that according to NYS Public Health Law, no institution shall permit any student to attend the institution in excess of 30 days without complying with this law. The 30-day period may be extended to 60 days if a student can show a good faith effort to comply. Students may receive this vaccine by making an appointment at UB Student Health Services at 829-3316.
- Find out more about the meningitis vaccine, or decline the vaccination
.
Do I need to get a PPD skin test for tuberculosis in order to attend UB?
It depends on your risk factors. Starting Fall 2008, all incoming students must complete the Mandatory Tuberculosis Screening Form, which is part of the Health Background Form. This form will help you and your health care provider determine if you need to have a PPD.
What do I do if I've already complied with the MMR requirement and I just need to comply with the Meningitis Information Law requirement?
Please complete the Online Meningitis Response Form
. If you are unsure if you're already compliant with the MMR portion of the requirement, please feel free to call us at 716-829-3316.
What do I do if I’ve already complied with the MMR requirement and I just need to comply with UB’s Mandatory Tuberculosis Screening form?
You only need to fill out Part 5 of the Health Background form and return it to us (this is also available as a single page document: PDF (26KB) | Word (26KB)). If you are unsure about what parts of the form to fill out or whether or not you're already compliant with the MMR portion of the requirement, please feel free to call us at 716-829-3316.
What will occur if I do not comply with these requirements?
An immunization "I" check-stop will be placed on your student account. This "I" check-stop will prevent you from being able to register for future classes at UB until you comply with all requirements.
If I have an immunization "I" check-stop on my student account, how can I get it removed?
Please make an appointment at UB Student Health Services by calling 716-829-3316 and requesting a "Nurse Appointment to comply with my immunizations." Please bring whatever immunization records you can find yourself, from your parents and/or your former doctors (please request these from your doctor prior to your appointment at SHS). If you believe you have already sent us your MMR records and want to verify that you only need to complete the meningitis portion of the Health Background Form in order to comply with the Meningitis Information Law, please feel free to call us at 829-3316. We'll be glad to answer any questions you may have.
What if I want to request a medical or religious exemption from the vaccination requirement?
If you already have documentation from a physician supporting a medical exemption from the vaccination requirement, please forward copies of it along with your Health Background Form to the address at the top of the Form. If you are seeking a religious exemption from this requirement, please call 716-829-3316 ext. 213 to receive further information on the process involved.
How can I obtain any of the required or recommended vaccines from UB Student Health Services? What is the cost? And will my insurance cover this cost?
You can call 829-3316 to set up an appointment with one of our nurses. Please bring whatever immunization records you can find on yourself from your parents and your former doctors (please request these from your doctor prior to your appointment at SHS). Current vaccine prices are listed on the Immunization Clinic portion of this website.
You'll need to check with your particular insurance company to determine whether or not vaccines are covered on your plan. We do give students a receipt at the time that they pay for the vaccine (bill to student's account, campus cash, personal check, credit cards, debit cards are all accepted forms of payment.) Some plans that pay for vaccines require proof in the form of this receipt.
How do I contact your office if I have further questions?
UB Student Health Services is located in Michael Hall on the South Campus of the University.
Phone: 716-829-3316
Fax: 716-829-2564
Email Us
Web: http://wellness.buffalo.edu