Immunization Requirements
Who is required to be immunized?
Tennessee requires new full-time enrollees in higher education institutions with enrollments larger than 200 students to be up to date on immunizations. Full-time is defined as undergraduates enrolling in at least 12 semester hours, or equivalent, and graduate students enrolling in at least 9 semester hours, or equivalent.
Note: A hold is automatically set to prevent a student’s registration until the process is completed. Once completed, the hold is automatically removed and the student is clear to register. There is no need to contact Health Services to remove the hold since everything is automatic.
Directions for Submitting Your Immunizations – Registration Compliance
In order to register for classes Health Services must have proof of two doses of Varicella (chicken pox) and two doses of Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR). If you’re under the age of 18, you must complete the additional form found in the student portal. Students living on campus must have proof of Meningitis strains A, C, Y & W135 (either Menactra® or Menveo®).
If we suspect that the Certification of Immunization form has been falsified, we will require one of the following: official copies of the student’s immunization record or a blood titer test to prove immunity.
- Log into the student portal.
- Click on Medical Clearances on the left column.
- The Status column will show either Compliant or Not Compliant.
- Click the Update button if your status is Not Compliant and follow the directions.
- Please allow 48-72 hours for processing.
Immunization Information
- MMR: All students born on or after Jan. 1, 1957 must provide proof of immunization with two doses of MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart or serology showing immunity to MMR.
- Varicella or Chickenpox: All students born on or after Jan. 1, 1980 must provide proof of immunization with two doses of Varicella vaccine at least 28 days apart, serology showing immunity to Varicella or documentation from a medical facility verifying a previous diagnosis with the illness
- Meningitis: New incoming students who are younger than 22 years of age and who will live in campus housing must have documentation of a dose of quadrivalent conjugate vaccine (MCV4 protects against strains: A, C, Y, W135) at greater than or equal to 16 years of age. Any student not living on campus who has not received a dose of quadrivalent conjugate vaccine within the past five years may choose to be vaccinated to reduce the risk of meningococcal disease.
- COVID 19 Vaccine: Recommended but not required.
- Meningitis B: Recommended but not required.
- Hepatitis B: Recommended but not required.
- Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Recommended but not required.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: Recommended but not required.
- Primary Polio series: Recommended but not required.
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap): Recommended but not required.
Hepatitis B/Meningitis Immunity- If under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian will have to sign and submit this form
If under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian will have to sign and submit this form.
The State of Tennessee mandates that MTSU provide information concerning Hepatitis B infection and Meningococcal disease to all students entering MTSU for the first time. All new students will need to electronically sign an acknowledgment form before they can register. This form is located within PipelineMT.
Locating immunization records: Adults can have difficulty locating childhood immunization records. You should check with family members who may have copies of childhood records. You should try to contact the original immunization provider: if a local health department, contact them directly; if a private medical office, contact that office. Schools may have copies of immunization certificates in student files. Children born after the mid-1990’s may have records entered in a state-managed immunization registry; such registries now exist in many states, but are unlikely to contain information on adults. If records cannot be located, additional vaccinations are recommended.
If records cannot be located, you can have a blood titer test completed. If the test verifies immunity, this will satisfy the requirement. This test can be completed in our office, another provider’s office, or your local health department. In our office, the MMR titer is $40.00 and the Varicella is $20.00. Prices subject to change.
Students Taking Online Classes Only
If you are a full-time online only student, click here to be taken to the online exemption form. To qualify for the online exemption, the course must be completely online with no on campus meetings.
Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Religious or Medical Reasons
If you have a religious or medical reason for not having immunizations, you can request that by completing the appropriate form below.
