UTMB Student Immunization Requirement

Immunization Requirements

• Immunization Requirements for current UTMB Students & Visiting Students

  Immunization requirements for ALL students are on the next page. Regardless of the program you are enrolling in, all incoming students must fulfill these requirements before the first day of class. Additionally, all current students must maintain an up-to-date immunization record.

  • MYSTAR IMMUNIZATION PROCESS:

  You are required to document your immunizations through MyStar and upload supporting proof for all immunization requirements. To submit your immunizations, log into your MyStar account and navigate to the immunizations link under the “Holds and To Dos” sections. After entering the required dates and submitting your records, you will be prompted to upload your immunization documentation. Multiple documents can be uploaded. The MyStar login page URL is: https://mystar.utmb.edu/
  Please note the following when uploading to MyStar:

  • You must provide a copy of the laboratory report for all titers, which should include your name  and date of birth (DOB).
  • Your uploaded documentation must be legible and in English.
  • We recommend that students retain a personal copy of their immunizations and titers for future reference.

  (Note: MSN AND DNP students must upload to Castlebranch at http://login.castlebranch.com/login).

  • IMMUNIZATION HOLD:

  Any student who is missing any immunization requirement will have a hold placed on their MyStar account. This hold will remain until all requirements are fulfilled. Having this hold will prevent students from registering for classes and participating in other mandatory activities. To avoid a hold, all incoming students must submit all required immunizations before the start of the school year (1-2 months prior). Furthermore, all current students must maintain an updated immunization record. If a hold is present on your MYSTAR account, please complete the required immunizations and upload them to MyStar. Student Health receives all uploads 24 hour after students upload their information (excluding weekends). The documents will be reviewed and updated by the SHC staff. Dedicated staff at SHC reviews all immunization submissions daily. IMPORTANT: The hold will automatically be lifted 24 hours after the review process is completed. If a student still has a hold, it indicates that they are still missing an immunization, and they should contact Student Health via email @SHCemail@utmb.edu. Students should also email SHCemail@utmb.edu if they are uncertain about the reason for the IMM hold or which requirement they are missing.

  • SCHEDULING APPOINTMENT FOR REQUIRED VACCINES OR TITERS:

  Incoming students and current students needing immunizations or titers should schedule an appointment with Student Health and Counseling Services between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note that completing option A above is necessary before scheduling an appointment.
  Appointments can be scheduled online at: https://www.utmb.edu/studenthealth/appointments/medical-counseling

  An acceptable documentation of immunizations includes ONE of the following:

  • Documentation of administered vaccines, bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or their designee, or public health personnel.
  • An official immunization record issued by a state or local health authority, such as a registry.
  • A record received from school officials.
  • All immunization records must include your name and date of birth.

  For any inquiries regarding immunization requirements, please refer to FAQ https://www.utmb.edu/studenthealth/student-information/utmb-immunization-services/immunization-faqs.
  For any other questions not covered above, please email Student Health@ SHCemail@utmb.edu.

  TYPE OF IMMUNIZATION	REQUIREMENTS
  COVID-19 Vaccine -Highly recommended.	No prior vaccination: 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, OR  2 doses of updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine Prior covid vaccination: 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
  FLU (Influenza)Vaccine- highly recommended. Required annually for all SON-BSN student.	One dose Annually.
  Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis (TdaP)	One dose of TDAP (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and a booster dose every 10 years thereafter.
  Measles (Rubeola)	Two doses of measles or two MMR vaccines (separated by at least 28 days) after the first birthday OR a positive titer confirming immunity *
  Mumps	Two doses of mumps or MMR vaccine (separated by at least 28 days) after the first birthday OR a positive titer confirming immunity*
  Rubella (German Measles)	One dose of rubella or MMR vaccine after the first birthday OR a positive titer confirming immunity*
  ***TB screening Test (QuantiFERON Blood Test) SHP & SON-BSN STUDENTS: Needs annual TB screening (either a QGold or skin test) per clinical site requirements.	A QuantiFERON blood test 3 months prior to start of your program including those with history of BCG vaccine. A negative result is accepted and if positive must obtain a chest x-ray documenting no active tuberculosis and must complete a TB Evaluation form.
  Annual TB screening questionnaire	Annual Screening Questionnaire for all UTMB Students regardless of history of +/- Skin test/Qgold. All Students must complete one yearly.
  Hepatitis B Series	Prior completion of primary series of Hep B vaccine(3 doses)as a child/teen/adult PLUS a positive antibody titer. If titer is positive, then you do not need anything else. If titer is negative, must restart the series again as follows: 2-dose series of Heplisav-B at 0, 1 month OR 3-dose series of Engerix-B, at 0, 1, and 4-6 months. Must obtain an antibody titer 1-2 months after dose #2 of Heplisav-B or dose #3 of Engerix.
  **Meningococcal (Meningitis)	One dose of meningitis vaccine if you will be younger than 22 prior to the beginning of classes. The vaccine must be administered within 5 years and at least 10 days prior to enrollment. (Students 22 and older are NOT required to have meningitis immunization)
  Varicella (Chickenpox)	Two doses of varicella vaccine (second dose one month after first dose) OR a positive varicella titer confirming immunity. * History of chickenpox disease is NOT accepted*

  *ALL LAB REPORT MUST HAVE YOUR NAME & DOB. ALL LAB VALUES MUST HAVE REFERENCE RANGE*

  **Important information regarding the Meningococcal Vaccine**
  Texas law mandates that Texas universities and health science centers require all new and transfer students show proof of vaccination against bacterial meningitis. The law does not apply to new and transfers students who are 22 or older at the time of enrollment or who are enrolled only in distance learning classes.

  *** TB SCREENING TEST INFORMATION***

  1. All new incoming students will go through initial TB screening with QuantiFERON gold blood test and not PPD skin test. 
  2. All current students with negative TB result will no longer need annual testing unless there is new known exposure to TB or has traveled to TB prone areas. All students with exposure to TB or travel to TB prone areas will need a Q-gold blood test/T-spot blood test.
  3. Per UTMB policy all students with positive QuantiFERON gold are required to be treated for Latent TB. Please follow up with Student Health or your PCP for the required treatment of LTBI.

  For all Exemptions, please email Student Health at shcemail@utmb.edu.
  

  Information on Texas minimum requirements for Student Enrolled in Healthcare coursework can be found here:

  https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunizations/school/requirements
  

  UTMB complies with the State of Texas Higher Education Mandatory Immunization Requirements and recommendations of the Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Division and the CDC. Immunizations MUST be completed before a student may participate in direct patient care.

  Revised: 7/26/2024

• Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine Requirement

  Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine Requirement

  The University of Texas Medical Branch complies with Senate Bill 62 and Texas Education Code 51.9192 ”the Jamie Schanbaum Act and Nicolis Williams Act”, which requires entering students of a Texas institution of higher education, including transfer students, to show evidence of immunization for bacterial meningitis prior to enrollment. The vaccination must be within the last 5 years or a booster is required and must have been given at least 10 days before the first day of class.

  Students Who Must Comply with this Requirement:

  • All NEW students entering UTMB , who are under 22 years of age, the first day of class in January 2014 and thereafter.

  Students Who are Exempt:

  • If you will be age 22 or older the first day of classes of the semester in which you are enrolling at UTMB.
  • If you will be enrolled exclusively in online or distance education courses. NOTE: An online or other distance education course that includes a face-to-face component, including meeting in a testing laboratory with other students, or meeting in a classroom to receive interactive video instruction, does not qualify as an online or other distance education course. New Student Orientation is considered a classroom interaction.
  • If you cannot take the vaccine because of medical reasons. To prevent registration from being affected, this must be submitted to Student Health with documentation from your physician.
  • You decline the vaccine due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. To prevent registration from being affected you must submit to Student Health a completed notarized form from the Texas Department of State Health Services. This form can be found at www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school. Please allow 2 weeks to receive your form from the state. Exemption forms must be received at least 90 days from when the form was notarized.
  • If your Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board CE course is less than 360 hours

  Acceptable documentation to prove that you meet the Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine Requirement includes:

  • The UTMB Student Health Immunization Record Form signed or stamped by a physician, NP, or PA or other clinic or public health personnel showing month, day, and year of vaccine or booster.
  • An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority that includes the same information as above.
  • The signature or stamp of a provider on a form showing month, day, and year of the vaccine or booster. Documentation must be in English and include full name and date of birth.
• Important Information about Bacterial Meningitis

  Important Information about Bacterial Meningitis

  This information is being provided to all new college students in the state of Texas. Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast – so take utmost caution. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that cause meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among college students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.

  What are the Symptoms?

  • High fever
  • Severe headache
  • Rash or purple patches on skin
  • Vomiting
  • Light sensitivity
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion and sleepiness
  • Nausea
  • Lethargy
  • Seizures

  There may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.

  How is Bacterial Meningitis Diagnosed?

  • Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.

  How is the Disease Transmitted?

  • The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions.

  How Do You Increase Your Risk of Getting Bacterial Meningitis?

  • Exposure to saliva by sharing cigarettes, water bottles, eating utensils, food, kissing, etc.
  • Living in close conditions (such as sharing a room/suite in a dorm or group home).

  What are the Possible Consequences of the Disease?

  • Death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead)
  • Permanent brain damage
  • Kidney failure
  • Learning disability
  • Hearing loss, blindness
  • Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) that requires amputation
  • Gangrene
  • Coma
  • Convulsions

  Can the Disease Be Treated?

  • Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives and chances of recovery are increased. However, permanent disability or death can still occur.
  • Vaccinations are available and should be considered for:
    •   Those living in close quarters
    •   College students 25 years old or younger
  • Vaccinations are effective against 4 of the 5 most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. (but does not protect against all types of meningitis).
  • Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years.
  • The cost of vaccine varies, so check with your health care provider.
  • Vaccination is very safe – most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up to two days.

  How Can I Find Out More Information?

  • Contact your own health care provider.
  • Contact your Student Health at (409) 747-9508.
  • Contact your local or regional Texas Department of Health office at (409) 763-7200.
  • Contact web sites: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo; www.acha.org