Community Standards

Health Center Immunization Policy

Purpose

To comply with New York State Public Health Law §2165 which requires all students taking six (6) semester hours or more in a degree granting program to provide proof of immunization to measles, mumps, and rubella;

To comply with New York State Public Health Law §2167 which requires the distribution of information to students regarding meningitis and all students taking six (6) credits or more in a degree granting program to provide a signed response regarding receipt of such information.

To comply with New York State Public Health Law §2165 which requires all students taking six (6) semester hours or more in a degree-granting program to provide proof of immunization with the Meningoccoal quadrivalent (MCV4) vaccination.

This policy applies to all newly admitted students and transfer students.

Policy Statement

New York State law and/or Union College requires that all newly admitted students and transfers:

  • Provide the College with certification from a health care provider or other acceptable evidence that they have received immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella; or evidence of immunity by history of disease or serological evidence.
  • Been immunized with the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, quadrivalent (MCV4). They will have received either 2 doses, the first at age 13-15 with a booster at age 16-18 or a single dose at age 16 or older.
  • All newly admitted students and transfers must complete the health requirements listed here.

Compliance Deadlines

Any student entering the College who has failed to complete the Health Center forms listed on the Health Requirements checklist by August 1st before the Fall Term, by week five of the Fall Term for the Winter Term, and by week five of the Winter Term for the Spring Term, will be notified of the necessity to comply with both the immunization laws and the College policy. Those students will be informed of how they can come into compliance with these requirements and, in particular, be advised that measles, mumps, rubella, and meningitis immunization may be administered at the Health Services office.

New students from outside New York State or outside the United States, who can show that they have made a good faith effort to comply with this Policy, will have forty-five (45) days from the start of the semester to fulfill the requirements. Any such students who fail to comply with the Policy will be de-enrolled from classes and prohibited from entering any campus buildings or facilities, including College residence halls, until compliance has been confirmed.

Exception to Immunization Requirement

The exceptions to Section C requirements concerning immunization are as follows:

  • If a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant certifies that such immunization is detrimental to the student’s health or otherwise medically contraindicated;
  • If immunization is contrary to the student’s genuine and sincere religious beliefs; OR
  • If a student is born prior to January 1, 1957; that student does not need to provide proof of immunization to measles, mumps, and rubella because they are considered to have developed immunity.

Procedures

The Health Center provides each new student who has paid a deposit to attend Union College and each returning student who is not in compliance with any aspect of this Policy all the information, and instructions necessary to come into compliance. This information can be found on our website.

Any questions about this policy or procedures should be addressed to:

Angela Stefanatos MS FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Health Center Director
Wicker Wellness Center Union College
(518) 388-7119
(518) 388-6572

stefanaa@union.edu