Immunizations and Medical Clearance Requirements for Entering Students

Entering Dell Medical Students  -- GO HERE for information about medical clearance requirements and how to complete them.

Medical Clearance Requirement Quick Reference Chart

Medical clearance requirements depend upon your age, your classification as an entering international student or student who is a U.S. citizen (or U.S. permanent resident), AND/OR the semester you will enter UT Austin.

You cannot register for classes, even during your assigned time at a virtual/online orientation session, until University Health Services (UHS) receives and processes documentation showing you have met all applicable Medical Clearance Requirements.

ATTENTION STUDENTS REGISTERING FOR SUMMER AND FALL 2020 ONLINE COURSES

Freshman, transfer and readmitted students entering summer or fall 2020 MUST COMPLY with all applicable medical clearance requirements (see chart below) even if they will take online classes only due to COVID-19 restrictions. These students cannot register for summer or fall classes until they satisfy all applicable requirements.

If you are experiencing issues getting immunization records or getting a required vaccine.

Click the category in the chart below that pertains to you to find details about acceptable evidence of compliance for each requirement and how to submit documentation.

Quick Jumps to on-page information

• Definition of "entering student"
• Medical clearance requirements for students who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents
• NEW! Proof of measles (rubeola) immunity for students entering in fall 2020 or thereafter
• Meningococcal vaccine
• Acceptable documentation to meet requirements
• Exemptions and required documentation
• How to submit documentation
• When to submit documentation
• How to determine whether your documentation has been processed and your registration bar has been removed
• Recommended immunizations for entering students
• Where to obtain immunizations

Definition of entering student

Medical clearance requirements apply to entering students, which include:

• First-time students at UT Austin
• Students transferring from any institution of higher education to UT Austin
• Students who previously attended UT Austin and are enrolling following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester. Students who complete a spring semester at UT Austin, are not enrolled for the summer at UT Austin, and who return in the fall are considered "continuing students" and are not considered entering students.

Medical clearance requirements for students who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents

Evidence of MEASLES IMMUNITY (RUBEOLA) required for ALL students entering fall 2020 or thereafter. Not required for students (except Dell Medical School or International students) who will enter summer 2020.

Evidence of measles immunity includes any of the following as long as the FIRST DOSE is administered on or after the first birthday and the SECOND dose is administered at least 28 days after the first dose:

• TWO DOSES of MEASLES/MUMPS/RUBELLA (MMR) VACCINE
  OR
• TWO DOSES of MEASLES VACCINE
  OR
• TWO DOSES OF MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA, VARICELLA (MMRV) VACCINE
  OR
• TWO DOSES OF ANY COMBINATION OF THE THREE VACCINES ABOVE
  OR

In lieu of (not in addition to) an acceptable combination of vaccines above, a positive blood test (titer) showing protective antibodies to measles (rubeola) is acceptable to prove measles immunity. A copy of the official lab report must be provided.

MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE is required by Texas law for students who will be age 21 or younger on the first class day of the semester they enter UT.

Meningococcal vaccine is required within five years of, but no later than ten days before, the first day of classes of the semester a student enters UT Austin.

• Entering fall 2020 - Vaccine must not be before 8/26/15
• Entering spring 2021 - Vaccine must not be before 1/19/16

Texas law does not dictate a specific type of meningococcal vaccine to satisfy this requirement (i.e. a specific brand or a vaccine that protects against strains A, C, W, and Y or strain B only). Check with your healthcare provider to determine which vaccine you should receive if you do not have proof of a meningococcal vaccine within the timeframe described above.

Acceptable documentation to meet requirements

Acceptable vaccine documentation includes:

• the signature or stamp of a physician or his/her designee or public health personnel on a form that shows the month, day, and year of your most recent meningococcal vaccination and, if you are entering UT Austin in fall 2020 or thereafter, vaccines to provide evidence of measles immunity;
• an official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority that includes the same information as above; or
• an official record issued from school officials, including a record from another state, that includes the same information as above.
• documentation from a pharmacy where a vaccine was administered that includes the patient’s name, date of birth, name of the vaccine(s) administered, date of vaccine administration and the name and signature of the pharmacy staff member or stamp of the facility. Pharmacy receipts and prescription labels are not sufficient to comply, even if they show the patient and vaccine name. While not required, we recommend taking the following form to the pharmacy where you will receive a vaccine, in case they cannot provide similar documentation.
  

Documents must be in English and include your full name and date of birth. Write your UT EID and the semester you are entering UT Austin (e.g. fall 2020 or spring 2021) on all pages of your documentation before submitting.

Acceptable documentation to show protective antibody results for measles as determined by a blood test (titer) for students entering in fall 2020 or thereafter includes a copy of the actual blood test results – not merely a healthcare provider’s report of "positive."

Documents must be in English and include your full name and date of birth.

Exemptions from medical clearance requirements and required documentation

Enrollment in online or long-distance education courses only (see Summer and Fall 2020 Exception to this Exemption below)

• Applicable to meningococcal vaccine and measles immunity requirements (see Summer and Fall 2020 Exception to this Exemption below).
• You do not have to submit any documentation to UHS.

SUMMER AND FALL 2020 EXCEPTION TO THIS EXEMPTION:
Students entering summer (except for transient students) or fall 2020 ARE NOT EXEMPT from applicable medical clearance requirements (see the chart above) because they will take online classes only due to COVID-19 restrictions. They must comply as if they were attending in-person classes and cannot register for summer or fall classes until they have complied.

Medical or reasons of conscience

Applicable to meningococcal vaccine and measles (MMR) vaccine requirements.

Medical. Before you can register for classes (including during orientation sessions), UHS must receive an affidavit or certificate signed by a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the United States stating that, in the physician's opinion, getting a specific vaccine or vaccines would be injurious to your health and well-being. The affidavit must be in English and include your full name and date of birth.

Reasons of conscience (including a religious belief). You are strongly encouraged to consult a physician about the need for meningococcal and measles (MMR) vaccine before requesting an exemption. Before you can register for classes (including during orientation sessions), UHS must receive from you or your parent, if you are a minor:

• MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE REQUIREMENT. The following is dictated by Texas Law as the sole method for documenting an exemption to meningococcal vaccine requirements for reasons of conscience:
  • A notarized, ORIGINAL Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience Affidavit.
  • The ORIGINAL affidavit must be sent to UHS by U.S. mail or other shipping service or by hand delivery.
  • Emails, faxes, and copies of this form cannot be accepted.
  • Request this form well before your registration date. It must be mailed to you by TDSHS.
  • UHS cannot accept this form if received more than 90 days after the date it was notarized.
    Request a Texas Department of State Health Services Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience Affidavit
• MEASLES IMMUNITY REQUIREMENT as evidenced by vaccine. A completed University Health Services Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience Form (this form may NOT be used for exemption from the meningococcal vaccine requirement, which is mandated by Texas law).

  Download a University Health Services Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience Form

ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students may ONLY use the Texas Department of State Health Services Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience Affidavit for vaccine requirement exemptions.

How to submit your documentation to UHS

Keep a copy of medical clearance requirement-related documentation you submit to UHS.to use as a backup in case there are issues with submitting your information.

DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTATION BY MORE THAN ONE METHOD. It will not shorten processing time.

Upload via MyUHS, the UHS patient web portal (preferred submission method)

MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION REQUIRED BY JUNE 15.
To increase security, multi-factor authentication (Duo) will be required to access most online services requiring a UT EID login, including MyUHS.

Instructions for setting up DUO

How to upload your documents via MyUHS, your UHS patient web portal.

• Log onto MyUHS (if June 15, 2000 or after, ensure you have set up Duo (multi-factor authentication)
• Click Medical Clearances on the left side
• Follow instructions. Submit each medical clearance requirement that applies to you:
  • Upload a copy of your immunization record that clearly displays the immunization(s) and date(s) of administration for any required immunizations.
  • For each immunization, follow instructions to enter the type(s) and date(s) exactly as shown on your record. Click “Done” when finished.
  • For each item, your status will show as pending, and you will still have an H bar. Once staff review and verify your information, your bar will be removed.
  • If uploaded documents do not fully satisfy requirement(s), UHS will contact you to describe what is needed to become compliant.

By Email:

Attach your documents to an email sent to imm@uhs.utexas.edu. Sending as a PDF is strongly preferred. If emailing documents, do not send images taken by your phone or other digital camera.

• READMITTED STUDENTS, write "Readmit" in the subject line.
• DELL MEDICAL STUDENTS, write "Dell Medical School" in the subject line.
• IMPORTANT: If you will attend a virtual (online) or in-person New Student Orientation session, write the date it starts in the subject line USING THIS FORMAT: "6/08/20 Orientation."
• Include your full name, EID and the semester you are entering (e.g. fall 2020 or spring 2021) in your email text AND on documents before scanning them.

By U.S. Mail:

ATTN: Immunization Compliance
The University of Texas at Austin
University Health Services
P.O. Box 7339
Austin, TX 78712

• • Write your full name, EID, the semester you are entering (e.g. fall 2020 or spring 2021) and your email on your documents.
• IMPORTANT: If you will attend a virtual/online or in-person New Student Orientation session, write the date it starts on the outside of your envelope (e.g. "6/8/20 Orientation").
• READMITTED STUDENTS, also write "Readmit" on the outside of your envelope.
• DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS, also write "Dell Medical School" on the outside of your envelope.

By FAX:

(512) 475-8288
During rush periods, you may receive busy signals before being able to complete your fax.

• Write your full name, EID, and semester you are entering (e.g. fall 2020 or spring 2021) and the first day of your New Student Orientation session, if applicable (e.g. "6/8/20 orientation"), on your cover sheet or faxed document.
• DELL MEDICAL STUDENTS, write "Dell Medical School."
• READMITTED STUDENTS, write "Readmit."

When to submit documentation

• Do not submit when you apply. Submit as soon as you are accepted/admitted and have decided to come to UT Austin.
• Submit at least two weeks before your intended registration date.

You cannot register for classes until UHS has received acceptable documentation proving you have satisfied applicable medical clearance requirements, even if you plan to register during a New Student Orientation session.

How to determine whether your documentation has been processed and your registration bar has been removed

Log in to your Registration Information Sheet (except for Dell Medical Students). Scroll to Registration Bars to see whether you have a medical (or “H”) bar. This bar will go away when your documentation has been processed successfully.

IF YOUR MEDICAL BAR IS STILL THERE:

• Your documentation may not have been processed, if it has been less than two weeks since you submitted it.
• There could be a problem with your documentation.
  • In this case, UHS will send you an email from imm@uhs.utexas.edu.
  • Search inboxes and junk/spam boxes for imm@uhs.utexas.edu in the email account from which you sent your documents. If sent by paper, fax or regular mail, search the email listed as your official UT email address.
• If you have not received a "problem" email, and it has been two two weeks since you submitted your documentation, call (512) 475-7735 to check the status.

Recommended immunizations for entering students

Where you can get vaccines to satisfy medical clearance requirements (including those without insurance)

Getting vaccines at UHS:

Admitted students can call UHS at 512-475-8301 option 2 to schedule an appointment to get required vaccines.

You may not be able to get vaccines at UHS if you wait until the last minute before your registration time. The inability to obtain a vaccine at UHS or any other facility so you can meet registration deadlines will not be considered a valid reason for a waiver of requirements.

To determine whether or how much your insurance company will pay for vaccines administered at UHS, contact your insurance company. Health insurance is not required to use UHS.

Find out whether UHS accepts (is in network with) your insurance
UHS Charges Policy (pdf)

Other resources for getting vaccines

You can get routine vaccines at most doctors' offices and private clinics, many large pharmacy chains and some minor emergency centers or walk-in clinics. Confirm whether they offer the vaccine(s) you need, require an appointment and take your insurance, if you are insured.

If you have Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Plan), contact your established healthcare provider as your first option.

If you are uninsured or your insurance will not cover vaccines:

• If you are 18 or younger, you might qualify for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program. Call the United Way helpline (dial 211) to find participating healthcare providers in your area.
• Many full-service, city/county health departments in Texas offer free or low-cost vaccines through immunization programs for those 18 or younger. A few offer the vaccine for those over 18.

Full Service" City/County Health Departments in Texas
Austin/Travis County "Shots for Tots" (18 and under) and "Big Shots" (over 18)