[ Wellness Center ]

Immunization Requirements

The State of Illinois College/University Immunization Law (77ILL.ADM.CODE 694) requires all college students born after 1956 to submit immunization information before registration unless you have a medical or religious exemption. If you do not submit documentation showing your immunizations, the College is required to place you on medical hold. This will delay your registration.

Required Immunizations
Documenting Your Immunizations
Exemptions
Recommended Immunizations

Required Immunizations
Td (Tetanus-diphtheria) - Booster within the past 10 years.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) - 2 doses after 1 year of age.

International students only: A tuberculosis skin test (PPD) [two-step mantoux] is required within the past 12 months.

BACK TO TOP

Documenting Your Immunizations
You must submit documentation of your immunizations before you can register for classes. Here is what you need to know to complete this process:

You probably already have received the required immunizations. To obtain documentation of prior immunizations, contact one of the following sources: (1) your family physician, (2) your high school or previous college, (3) your branch of military service. Please ask the source to fax or send the records to us. You may download the Student Health Record (pdf) here.

If you cannot obtain records of prior immunizations, you will need to make an appointment with the Wellness Center—or with another healthcare provider—to complete the immunization process. You then can meet the Illinois law in one of two ways:

1. You may be revaccinated with two (three-in-one) doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), given at least one month apart, and one dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) if you have not received one within the past 10 years.
2. You may have a blood titer drawn to show your immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella, and obtain a dose of tetanus-diphtheria if you have not received one in the past 10 years.

If you would like to have your vaccines or blood titer completed at the Elmhurst College Wellness Center, please call (630) 617-3565 for an appointment.

BACK TO TOP

Exemptions
Medical. A student may be exempted from one or more of the specific immunization requirements specified in this part upon acceptance by the designated record-keeping office on a written statement by a physician indicating the nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstance that contraindicates such immunization(s), identifying the specific immunization(s) which could be detrimental to the student's health.

Female students may be granted temporary exemption from immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella if pregnancy or suspected pregnancy is certified by a written physician's statement.

If a student is on an approved schedule of receipt of all necessary doses of Td vaccine, the student will be granted temporary medical exemption for the duration of the approved schedule.

If a student's medical condition or circumstances later permit immunization, the exemption(s) granted shall thereupon terminate and the student shall be required to obtain the immunization(s) from which the student has been exempt.

Religious. A student may be exempted from the immunization requirements specified in this part upon acceptance by the designated record keeping office of a written statement by the student (or the student's parent or guardian, if the student is a minor) detailing the student's objection to immunization on religious grounds. The religious objection must set forth the specific religious belief that conflict with the immunization. The religious objection may be personal, philosophical or moral reluctance to allow immunizations will not provide a sufficient basis for exception to statutory requirements.

BACK TO TOP

Recommended Immunizations
American College Health Association (ACHA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following vaccines for college students. For more information on each vaccine, please see the relevant listing under Wellness Links.

Hepatitis B
College students are at risk for Hepatitis B, a serious infectious disease that attacks the liver and can lead to lifelong infection and even death. The virus is spread when an individual comes in contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person through broken skin or mucous membranes. Each year, about 200,000 people are infected with the virus and 5,000 die, the majority of whom are adolescents and young adults. There is no cure for Hepatitis B, but the infection can be prevented by vaccination. A three-shot series is given at 0, 1, and 6 months and gives 10 years or more of immunity.

Meningitis
Freshmen living in dorms are found to have sixfold increased risk for the disease. Meningitis is rare, but when it strikes, this potentially fatal bacterial disease can lead to swelling of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal column as well as severe and permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, limb amputation, and even death. It is spread through the air via respiratory secretions or close contact with an infected person. This can include coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing items like utensils, cigarettes, and drinking glasses. Symptoms resemble the flu and can include sudden high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and confusion.

Varicella (Chicken pox)
A two-shot series is recommended for those without history of disease, the age appropriate immunization, and with a negative antibody titer.

Please Note: Vaccines and blood titers are available in the Wellness Center. If you would like further information or need an appointment please call (630) 617-3565.

BACK TO TOP