Student Immunization and Health Entry Policy

Purpose

1. To establish requirements and procedures for student immunization compliance in accordance with New York State Public Health Laws (PHL 2165 and 2167). In concert with the American College Health Association, Hamilton College reaffirms its commitment to vaccines in promoting health and preventing disease. As a four-year residential institution, Hamilton College recognizes the heightened health risks associated with:
   1. Close-spaced living and dining spaces
   2. Frequent social interactions among students
   3. Domestic and international travel

These factors inform the immunization requirements outlined below.

2. Required Immunizations

   1. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

      1. Two doses required
         1. First dose: administered on or after the student’s first birthday (a grace period of up to four (4) days before the first birthday is permissible)
         2. Second dose: at least 28 days after the first dose
            OR
      2. Positive titers for measles, mumps, and rubella
         1. if any one of the titer results is negative or equivocal, then you will be required to receive another MMR shot to be considered compliant

   2. Meningitis ACWY

      1. One dose administered after the age of 16 and within the past 5 years

   3. Meningitis B

      1. First dose administered after the age of 16
      2. Second dose administered at least 6 months later (both doses must be from the same brand series)

   4. Tdap

      1. One dose required within 10 years prior to enrollment
      2. Students must submit proof of completed primary DTaP series along with Tdap documentation

   5. Poliovirus

      1. Completion of the primary IPV series

   6. Varicella

      1. First dose: after the student’s first birthday
      2. Second dose: at least 8 weeks after the first dose

3. Documentation Requirements

   1. Official hard copy of immunization records, translated into English is required when entering your immunization data directly (not utilizing electronic health transfer of records)
   2. Official immunization records should be obtained on medical letterhead and either stamped or signed, and dated by the student’s medical provider (who is not related to them)
   3. Students may enter data directly into the Student Patient Portal. This option applies to students who are not eligible for data transfer through the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) or the Verivax interface within our electronic health record system (Medicat).
   4. Student Patient Portal uploads must be formatted as follows:
      1. Image files must be .gif, .png, .tiff, .jpg, or .jpeg
      2. Documents must be .txt, or .pdf
      3. Image of document size must not exceed 4mb.
      4. File names should not have special characters (%, $, etc.) Keep the filename simple and short
      5. For technical assistance with uploading documents, please contact the Student Health Center.
   5. Student health center staff reviews and verifies all immunization records
   6. All immunization records are retained for 7 years, after which time they are purged from our electronic health records

4. Compliance Options

   1. Standard Vaccination

      1. Prior to campus arrival
         1. Primary care office
         2. Local health department
         3. Local pharmacy of choice
      2. Upon arrival via the Student Health Center
         1. Immunizations are covered under the student health insurance plan. Students on private insurance plans should verify coverage, as reimbursement is not guaranteed.
         2. Students may be referred off-campus for administration at local pharmacies and/or local health department if needed or preferred

   2. Alternative Compliance

      1. Delayed or spaced out vaccination schedule when medically appropriate and approved by Health Center Staff

   3. Exemptions

      1. Medical exemptions are available for specific medical contraindications and subject to approval.
         1. Requires individual documentation for each vaccine exemption.
         2. Must include provider documentation detailing why the medical exemption is needed.
      2. Blanket exemptions for all requirements are not accepted.
      3. Religious, philosophical, and personal belief exemptions will not be considered.
      4. Student Health Center staff will review all exemption requests within 2 weeks of receiving all of the required documentation.
         1. Medical Director or their appointee will make a final decision on the request.
         2. Student will be notified of decisions via secure message within the Student Patient Portal.
         3. If the exemption is denied, the student may appeal it within 2 weeks to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.
         4. If the appeal is denied, the student must comply with the vaccination requirement, or may choose to withdraw from their enrollment.

5. Deadlines for New Students

   1. Immunization records are due by July 1^st for the fall semester
   2. Immunization records are due by Jan 1^st for the spring semester
   3. Records should be submitted via the Student Patient Portal or directly to the Student Health Center
6. New Student Required Health Entry Forms
   1. Hamilton Health History
   2. Rights and Consent
   3. TB Risk Questionnaire
   4. Texting Opt-in/Opt-out (For Student Health Center appointment reminders and notifications)

7. Student Patient Portal Registration

   1. First-time users must register using their Hamilton email address and create a unique password that meets the criteria detailed on the registration page. This password must differ from the student’s Hamilton network password.

8. Enforcement

   1. Timeline

      1. Students who are not fully compliant upon arrival must initiate vaccination within the first week of arrival
      2. Follow-up appointments as needed

   2. Non-compliance

      1. Referral to Associate VP of Student Affairs
      2. Assignment of conduct points for failure to comply with immunization requirements and directives from Health Center Staff
      3. Academic registration holds placed until compliant
      4. In accordance with NYS Public Health Law 2165, domestic students who remain non-compliant 30 days after enrollment and international students who remain non-compliant 45 days after enrollment are prohibited from attending classes and campus activities

   3. Outbreak Protocols

      1. Removal of non-compliant and exempted students from campus
      2. Coordination with local health department

9. Reference

   1. New York State Public Health Law, including PHL Section 2165 and PHL section 2167: NYSDOH Immunization Requirements Handbook
10. CONTACT Hamilton College Student Health Center
    1. Phone: 315-859-4111
    2. Email: healthcenter@hamilton.edu