GA-1041 Immunization Requirements

1.0        Policy

Ensuring the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, patients, and the general public is a priority of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. The medical school requires all students to present proof of required immunizations prior to matriculation and/or actual patient contact. Students who fail to submit complete health history and immunization documents prior to the first day of class will not be permitted to attend classes or clinical rotations until all information is complete or an acceptable plan is in place to do so, as determined by the Vice Dean. The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's immunization policies and procedures are in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Carilion Clinic.

The guidelines for immunizations for students of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine follow the guidelines issued by the AAMC, which founded the standardized immunization form in 2015 based on what the CDC recommends for healthcare workers. Carilion Clinic also follows the guidelines issued by the CDC. 

Prior to the first day of orientation, students must provide written documentation of immunization for or immunity to all of the infectious diseases below, either by providing documentation of having had the disease or documentation evidencing vaccination or positive blood antibody titer. 

2.0        Procedures

The following immunizations are required:

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) - 2 doses of MMR vaccine or two (2) doses of Measles, two (2) doses of Mumps and (1) dose of Rubella, or serologic proof of immunity for Measles, Mumps, and/or Rubella.
• Hepatitis B – 3 doses of Engenix-B, PreHevbrio, Recombivax, or Twinrix or 2 doses of Heplisav-B vaccine followed by a QUANTITATIVE Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (titer) preferably drawn 4-8 weeks after the last vaccine dose. If negative, students must complete a second Hepatitis B vaccine series followed by a repeated titer. If Hepatitis B Surface Antibody is negative after the repeat vaccine series, a non-responded status is assigned. See Hepatitis B Vaccine Requirements for Colleges and Universities for more information.
• Tetanus-Diphtheria- Pertussis (Tdap) – One (1) dose of adult Tdap. If the last Tdap is more than 10 years old, provide the date of the last Td and Tdap.
• Tuberculosis screening – Results of the last (2) TSTs (PPDs) or (1) Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test is required regardless of prior BCG status. The 2-step TST protocol must have been placed within the past 12 months prior to matriculation and must have been performed in the US. The second TST must have been placed at least 1 week after the first TST read date. If you have a history of positive TST (PPD) > 10mm or positive IGRA, please supply information regarding evaluation and/or treatment. Varicella – Two doses of vaccine or positive serology.
• Influenza – Annual immunization in the fall.
• COVID-19 – Primary series of two (2) doses and booster doses. 

The Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Meningitis, and Influenza vaccines, as well as the PPD, are available for administration through Carilion Clinic Occupational Medicine Clinic for a fee. Students are responsible for any expenses incurred. The Occupational Medicine Clinic cannot bill insurers. All vaccinations can be obtained through the student's primary health care provider. 

 After matriculation, annual Tuberculosis screening is mandatory and is conducted by Carilion Clinic's Occupational Medicine Clinic.  The school is billed for all testing and administration fees. 

After matriculation, annual flu shots are mandatory for all students and are administered by a local provider. Students may also attend a Carilion Clinic-sponsored flu shot clinic and receive a flu shot free of charge. 

Students must document receipt of their immunizations using the required AAMC Immunization Form. The form must carry the original signature of a physician or a licensed medical practitioner, and the license number or office stamp with an address. Students who do not have the appropriate documentation on the first day of class for each academic year can be withdrawn from instructional activities, blocked from registration for subsequent Blocks, or prevented from attending a clinical experience at the discretion of the Vice Dean. In general, an acceptable plan for completion of the immunization requirement must be in place with the Office of Enrollment Management and Vice Dean in order for the student to continue to attend classes and participate in clinical experiences. 

It is the student's responsibility to keep their immunizations up to date. In addition, students may be required to have additional vaccines as per the CDC or Carilion Clinic recommendations and/or other medical tests prior to starting classes and/or clinical clerkships, as indicated by the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and the clinical educational affiliate site. Also, further periodic evaluations or tests may be required if indicated or if exposure to an infectious patient occurs while enrolled. Exceptions to this policy, such as medical contraindications or religious beliefs, can be discussed on a case-by-case basis. In the event of a local measles or varicella epidemic, these exempted students will be excluded from group activities, including classes and patient care, until the City Public Health Unit Director/Administration indicates it is safe for the students to return. 

Student immunization status is monitored by the Office of Enrollment Management, and the immunization records are maintained separately from academic and educational files. The only staff with access to these records are those in Enrollment Management and the Vice Dean.  

3.0        References

• Hepatitis B Vaccine Requirements for Colleges and Universities
• AAMC Immunization Form
• Carilion Clinic Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellness
• VTCSOM Office of Enrollment Management