Immunization and Health Requirements for Students

Immunizations Required for Enrollment

In accordance with the Illinois College Immunization Code, all students who enroll in six or more credit hours per semester must have proof of immunization on file with Health Services by the beginning of preregistration. Students who are not in compliance with the immunization requirements will have a registration hold placed on their academic record, and will not be permitted to register for the following semester. Students must prove that they have been immunized against the following communicable diseases:

  1. Measles (Rubeola): Students must provide documentation of receipt of two doses of live measles virus vaccine on or after the first birthday. The minimum time interval between each dose must have been at least 28 days. If either dose was given before 1968, proof must be provided that a live virus was administered. Students who cannot obtain records may provide laboratory (serologic) evidence of measles immunity*.
  2. Mumps: Students must provide documentation of receipt of two doses of live mumps virus vaccine on or after the first birthday. The minimum time interval between each dose must have been at least 28 days. If either dose was given before 1968, proof must be provided that a live virus was administered. Students who cannot obtain records may provide laboratory (serologic) evidence of mumps immunity*.
  3. Rubella (German Measles): Students must provide documentation of receipt of two doses of live rubella virus vaccine on or after their first birthday. The minimum time interval between each dose must have been at least 28 days. If either dose was given before 1968, proof must be provided that a live virus was administered. Students who cannot obtain records may provide laboratory (serologic) evidence of rubella immunity*.
  4. Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis: Students must provide dates of any combination of three or more doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis containing vaccine. One dose must be the Tdap vaccine. The last dose of vaccine (DTP, DtaP, DT, Td, or Tdap) must have been received within the last 10 years. The minimum time interval between the first and second dose must have been at least 28 days, with the third dose having been received at least six months after the second or last dose of the basic series.
  5. Meningitis: All new admissions under the age of 22 must show proof of having at least one dose of meningococcal conjugate (Menactra®, Menveo®, MenQuadfi®, and Nimenrix®) vaccine on or after 16 years of age.

*A serology report is a blood test done by a healthcare provider to test for positive antibodies which prove immunity. Lab results must be attached.

Exemptions That Will Be Accepted:

  1. Medical Exemption: Students who have a medical reason that contraindicates vaccination should ask their healthcare provider to complete the Medical Immunization Exemption Form
  2. Religious Exemption: Students who have a religious objection to immunization should complete the Religious Immunization Exemption Form

Anyone with a vaccine exemption may be excluded from the college in the event of a disease outbreak in accordance with public health law.

Please Note: If a student was born on or before January 1, 1957, they are exempt from the measles, mumps and rubella requirements, as exposure to disease and natural immunity is assumed. These students will, however, need to show proof of immunity to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

Immunization Records are due:

  • July 1, for students admitted for Fall
  • December 1, for students admitted for Winter Interim
  • January 1, for students admitted for Spring
  • May 1, for students admitted for Summer

Instructions for Submitting Immunization Records (Required)

  1. Print the Certificate of Immunity form and ask your health care provider to complete and sign it. Alternatively, you may submit relevant records from a school, military, government, clinic/hospital or other official documentation of your vaccination history. Documents must be in English or translated into English. 
  2. Enter your immunization information and upload your supporting documents to the SAIC Health Services Patient Portal. For instructions on using the SAIC Patient Portal view the Patient Portal Reference Sheet for Students.

Instructions for viewing the immunizations Health Services has on file for you

  1. Access the SAIC Health Services Patient Portal. Click the Immunization tab.  Click the Print button.

Instructions for completing the Recommended Forms:  

  1. Complete the Health History Form and Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire.
  2. Print the Physical Exam and the Tuberculosis Clinical Assessment if indicated, and take the document(s) to your health care provider to complete and sign.
  3. Upload the Physical Exam and Tuberculosis Clinical Assessment to the SAIC Health Services Patient Portal. Click on the Upload button and select Physical Exam or Tuberculosis Clinical Assessment under the "Choose document you are uploading" dropdown.

Recommended (But Not Required) Vaccines for College Students:

  • COVID-19
  • Hepatitis B 
  • HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) 
  • Meningitis B
  • Influenza

CDC: Diseases and Conditions

ACHA:  Immunization Recommendations for College Students