Immunization Policy

(March 1, 2026) 

 

Rationale 

Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to occur on US campuses and pose a significant threat to the public health of the campus community. Outbreaks significantly cost infected individuals in terms of mortality and morbidity. They can also be costly to the University and students by disrupting university activities and preventing students from attending scheduled classes. 

The University aims to protect 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 pre-matriculation 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.  

 

Students who fail to provide appropriate documentation for the following immunizations will be prohibited from moving into the residence halls until the documentation is provided, and the University is under no obligation to prorate or forgive room charges for any delayed entry. 

 

Immunizations Required for All Students 

 

• MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) or MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella). All in-seat students born after 1956 must provide documentation of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. 

• MMR and MMRV Centers for Disease Control Guidance are found here. 

 

 

Additional Immunizations Required for Residential Students 

 

• Hepatitis B. If you live in university housing, you must provide documentation of immunization for Hepatitis B. You must provide one of the following: 

• Documentation of having initiated the Hepatitis B immunizations and updates indicates that you continue to receive the series of immunizations on schedule until all three immunizations have been given. The student is expected to complete the immunizations within six months of initiation of the series. 

• Documentation of completion of a three-shot series for Hepatitis B 

• Documentation of a titer indicating immunity to Hepatitis B 

• HepB Centers for Disease Control Guidance is found here.  

• Meningococcal Meningitis ACWY (MCV4 / Quadrivalent). All entering full-time residential students must provide documentation of immunization against meningococcal meningitis ACWY. 

• Students must provide documentation of receipt of at least a dose of Meningococcal Vaccine for types ACWY after age 16. 

• The recommendation is that all individuals living in campus housing receive a booster every five (5) years. 

• MenACWY Centers for Disease Control Guidance is found here. 

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap). If you live in university housing, you must provide documentation of immunization against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. You must provide one of the following: 

• Documentation of receipt of one (1) dose of Tdap vaccine. 

• Documentation of a Td or Tdap booster within the past ten (10) years if a prior Tdap dose was already received. 

• Tdap Centers for Disease Control Guidance is found here. 

• Varicella (Chicken Pox). If you live in university housing, you must provide documentation of immunization against Varicella (Chicken Pox). You must provide one of the following: 

• Documentation of two (2) doses of Varicella vaccine. 

• Documentation of a laboratory titer indicating immunity to Varicella. 

• Varicella Centers for Disease Control Guidance is found here. 

• Polio (Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine, IPV). If you live in university housing, you must provide documentation of immunization against Polio. You must provide one of the following: 

• Documentation of completion of a three- or four-dose IPV series per the CDC-recommended childhood schedule. 

• For students who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated: documentation of at least three (3) doses of IPV administered at the CDC-recommended intervals, with the series completed prior to or initiated before move-in. 

• Polio Centers for Disease Control Guidance is found here. 

 

Additional Immunizations and Tests Required for International Students 

 

• Tuberculosis (TB). All full-time international students must provide documentation of having had a Tuberculin skin test (PPD) or blood test to screen for tuberculosis (TB) within six months prior to enrollment in the University, regardless of prior BCG immunizations. If the results of either test are positive, a chest x-ray is required. A student may request a waiver from tuberculin skin testing if the student is from a country that the Centers for Disease Control has identified as having a low prevalence of tuberculosis. 

 

Immunizations Recommended for All Students 

 

• COVID-19. All in-seat students are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and associated boosters. 

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV-9). All 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 reduce the risk of cervical cancer drastically. 

• Hepatitis A. All entering full-time students are encouraged to have the hepatitis A Vaccination if they travel to countries or areas where cases of hepatitis A are moderately active. 

• Influenza. All entering full-time students are encouraged to have an annual flu shot during the influenza season.  

• Meningococcal Meningitis B. All entering full-time students are encouraged to have immunization against meningococcal meningitis B through either a Bexsero or Trumenba vaccination. 

• MenBCenters for Disease Control Guidance found here. 

 

Students in a Health Science Program 

 

Please consult individual programs to see if they have specific additional immunization requirements that may differ from the University’s. 

  

Request for Medical Exemption Waiver 

A student may complete a Medical Immunization Exemption Certificate form for review for any required vaccination. The  Medical Immunization Exemption Certificate form must be completed at least two weeks before the student arrives on campus for the student’s first semester of attendance at the University. In the case of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable 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. 

Download the Medical Immunization Exemption Certificate form here. 

Questions regarding a Medical Immunization Exemption Waiver should be directed to the Vice President & Dean of Students at virginiamoore@ucwv.edu or 304-357-4987.