Lesley University Immunization Information 2008 - 2009

Massachusetts State Immunization Law

Required Immunizations

Massachusetts State Law mandates that ALL full-time students in Massachusetts provide the following proof of immunization certification:

MENINGITIS: The Meningitis vaccine is required for all newly enrolled resident students.  You must provide one of the following:

• The date you received the vaccine, signed by a nurse or physician, or
• A signed waiver form stating that you have read the risks, and opt not to receive this vaccine.

There are 4 additional required immunizations for all FULL TIME students:

• Td, Tdap or DTaP (TETANUS-DIPHTHERIA) vaccine within the last ten years.
  
• M.M.R. (MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA): The exact dates of the immunizations are required. (Please include the month, day, and year.) All immunization doses must have been given on or after a student's first birthday in order to be acceptable.
  
  • Two doses of the MMR vaccines must be given at least 1 month apart.
  • Positive measles, mumps, and rubella serological blood test results are acceptable in lieu of these immunization records.
  • Diagnosis of disease is not acceptable proof.
• Varicella/Chicken Pox.  Health care provider diagnosed disease date acceptable, 2 doses of Varicella vaccine at lease 4 weeks apart or positive serological blood test results.
  
• HEPATITIS B. The exact dates of the immunizations are required. (Please include the month, day, and year.)
  • Three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are required. The second dose must be received 1 month or more after the first dose. The third dose must be at least six months after the first dose. (Certain 2-dose schedules with the Recombivax treatment may be allowed if it was administered to the student and completed between the ages of 11 and 15).
  • Positive hepatitis B antibody blood test result is acceptable (immunizations are not indicated).

These immunizations are also necessary for ALL part time and full time International students studying under a visa.

It is essential that all full time students complete a certification of immunizations form and have it signed by a physician or nurse. This should be returned to Lesley University, Student Insurance Office, 29 Everett St., Cambridge, MA 02138.

• Please note that a history of your having had any of the above diseases does not serve as proof of immunization. If you are unable to locate accurate information about your immunizations, you are required to have a positive serological blood test to determine immunity for measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B. However, since there is no test to prove immunity to tetanus and diphtheria, you will need to have a tetanus/diphtheria booster in order to fulfill the Massachusetts State Immunization requirements.
• You may be considered exempt from the Massachusetts College Immunization Law if any one of the following applies to you:
  • You are currently not a full-time student.  However, if you were a full-time student in past semesters, your immunization requirement must be current and complete.
    
  • You state that such immunizations as required would conflict with your religious beliefs and submit a signed statement to the the Student Insurance Office.
  • You have certification by a physician who has personally examined you and is of the opinion that your physical condition is such that your health would be endangered by one or more of the required immunizations.
    If any of the above apply to you, please be sure to fill out the appropriate section in the certification of immunizations form.
• Please be aware that if there is an outbreak of an infectious disease on campus that you are not properly immunized against, this could present a risk to your health.

  Since there have been measles outbreaks at colleges in Massachusetts, it is strongly recommended that all students (part-time and non-degree) check their immunization records to make sure they are protected if exposed to measles.

Immunization request form

Immunizations must be requested using this form [doc]. You can mail, fax, or bring in the form to the Student Insurance Office.

If you have any questions please contact the Coordinator of Student Insurance at studentinsurance@lesley.edu