Download the immunization form.
Rationale for the Policy
Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to occur on American campuses and pose a significant threat to the public health of the campus community. Outbreaks not only impose a significant cost to infected individuals in terms of mortality and morbidity, but also can be costly to the University and students by disrupting university activities and preventing students from being able to attend scheduled classes.
The goal of the University is to provide adequate protection of the campus community against vaccine-preventable diseases by requiring students to be vaccinated against and/or screened for certain highly contagious diseases. This goal can best be achieved through a mandatory prematriculation immunization requirement.
Requirements Consistent with State Law and Other Organizations
The following requirements are consistent with West Virginia State Law and with the recommendations of the American College Health Association and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices:
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). All entering full-time students born after 1956 must demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Hepatitis B. If you live in university housing, you must provide evidence of your immunity to Hepatitis B. You must provide one of the following:
- Documentation of having initiated the series of Hepatitis B immunizations and submitting updates indicating that you are continuing to receive the series of immunizations, on schedule, until all three immunizations have been given
- Documentation of completion of a three-shot series for Hepatitis B
- Documentation of a titer indicating immunity to Hepatitis B. or completion of the three dose vaccination series. The student is expected to complete the immunizations within six months of initiation of the series
- Meningococcal meningitis. If you live in university housing, you must provide documentation of your immunity to meningococcal meningitis. You must meet this requirement by providing documentation that you have received an immunization for meningococcal meningitis within one year prior to your move-in date for your current housing contract.
- Female students. All female students are strongly encouraged to receive the Human Papillomavirus vaccine HPV prior to matriculation. Much like the Hepatitis B vaccine, the HPV vaccine is a three-part series of shots that has been shown to drastically reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
- International students. All full-time international students must provide documentation of having had a PPD skin test to screen for tuberculosis within one year prior to enrollment in the university regardless of prior BCG immunizations. If the results of the skin test are positive, a chest x-ray is required.
- Health Science and Pharmacy Students. Please consult your individual programs to see if they have specific additional immunization requirements that may differ from those of the University.
Request for Waiver
A student may request a waiver from any vaccination for medical reasons. Application for a waiver is to be made in writing to the University of Charleston prior to the first day of classes in his/her first semester of attendance at the University. In the case of an outbreak of a contagious disease on campus for which the student has not been immunized, the University reserves the right to ask the student to leave campus until the outbreak is over.