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HSC Immunization Requirements
All students in the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Upper Division of the Nursing School including Graduate Nursing programs, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology are required to have the immunizations listed below, in addition to an annual TB skin test. Please print and complete the appropriate UofL Immunization Compliance Form and submit it, along with all official documentation of your immunizations.
Questions concerning the Health Science Campus requirement can be directed to Immunize@louisville.edu.
Campus Health Services, located on the Health Science Campus, can take care of any immunizations you may need to be compliant.
The following immunizations are required for Health Sciences Students
Vaccine Requirements:
Tetanus-Diphtheria Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
- 1 Adult Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis).
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Documentation of serologic immunity OR
- 2 MMR vaccines (2 doses Measles, 2 doses Mumps and one dose Rubella if administered separately).
Hepatitis B Vaccine (HepB)
- 3 doses of vaccine followed by HepBSAb titer, reported with a QUANTITATIVE value.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
- 2 doses of vaccine OR
- Positive antibody titer. Indeterminate titers require one dose vaccine.
Seasonal Influenza:
- Vaccine is required annually but not available until Fall. You will be notified regarding its availability. Free to all students.
COVID-19 Vaccine (Effective January 2022)
- 2 doses of vaccine
- 1 booster dose of vaccine STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
Baseline and Annual TB (Tuberculosis) testing required
No previous TST or your testing has elapsed >14 months:
- Complete two TSTs, at least one week apart.
No prior history of positive TST:
- Proof of two annually consecutive TSTs: one within 90 days of your start date, OR
- Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) (Quantiferon TB Gold or T-spot) within 90 days of your start date.
Prior history of (+) TST or IGRA, or active TB:
- Provide documentation of positive test results, medication treatment, and latest Chest x-ray report.
- If you received the BCG vaccine and your first or second TST were "positive" you will need to obtain an IGRA blood test.
- Complete TB Questionnaire (TBQ) upon starting and on an annual basis.
Recommended Vaccines:
Hepatitis A:
2 doses vaccine
Pending Vaccine Documentation
You will be contacted by e-mail once documents are reviewed and additional documentation may be requested by Campus Health Services.
FAQs for Clinical Students
Students may provide any combination of following:
- official certificate of immunization,
- lab reports of blood tests.
If you are unable to obtain official documentation of your immunization records the following is required:
- Receive two TB skin tests at least 1 week apart
- Receive a TdaP
- Blood test for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella antibodies
- Blood test for QUANTITATIVE Hepatitis B surface antibody (HepBSAB) or documentation of initial 1st and 2nd Hepatitis B vaccines (total of 3 doses and antibody titer are still required)
Yes. It is important that we are 100% certain you developed a protective level of antibodies to the disease. If your titer is low, depending on the level, you will need one or two varicella vaccinations.
You should get a booster dose vaccine, then re-titer 30-60 days later. If a protective antibody response is achieved, you are considered complete. If not, we would require completing dose #5 and #6 followed by a final titer 4 weeks after last dose vaccine.
Please have titer redrawn and request it to be reported with a QUANTITATITIVE value.
If you have documentation of all three doses vaccine, then you should have a Hepatitis B surface antibody titer drawn first. If the QUANTITATIVE Hepatitis B Surface Antibody is positive, send us the report.
If you have not had annual TB skin testing (TST) or your testing has elapsed more than 14 months, you will be required to have a two-step TST. The first test “wakes up” your immune system and the second test is your actual test. After having your tests placed, you must return 48-72 hours to have each test read. Your second test can be placed one to two weeks after the first. Tests are not placed on Thursdays.
Yes. The tuberculin skin test (TST) and blood tests to detect TB infection are not contraindicated for persons who have been vaccinated with BCG. For more info: www.cdc.gov
You will need to turn in documentation regarding the positive test: treatment, chest x-ray results, etc. You will be required to complete a TB Questionnaire on an annual basis.
No. Services, vaccines, labs etc. are available at a reduced cost to students. A fee schedule for commonly needed vaccines and titers is attached.
Mail: University of Louisville Campus Health Services
401 East Chestnut St, Suite 110
Louisville, KY 40202
Email: immunize@louisville.edu
Phone: 502.852.2708