Introduction To provide a safe and healthy environment for all students, faculty, and staff at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and in accordance with the recommendations of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and American College Health Association (ACHA), UAB requires immunizations as set forth in this policy. First-time Entering UAB Students All first-time entering students who enroll at UAB must show proof of specified immunizations as outlined by the UAB Student Health Service on their website: (www.uab.edu/studentimmunizations). Enrolling students must show proof of the required immunizations with either an official certificate of immunization, a photocopy of an immunization certificate, or written documentation from their physician. International Students and International Scholars Because of the disparity of immunization requirements among many foreign countries, all UAB international students and international scholars are required to be immunized as outlined by the UAB Student Health Service on their website (www.uab.edu/studentimmunizations). In lieu of being re-immunized, such individuals may present proof of having had the required immunizations. If they do not have such proof or have not been immunized, they must be immunized against the specified diseases prior to attending, enrolling, or participating in UAB academic, research, observing, or clinical programs and activities. Furthermore, all international students and international scholars must show proof of a non-reactive Tuberculin skin test or negative blood test or appropriate treatment if positive within three months prior to enrollment or visiting. Details of this requirement are provided by the UAB Student Health Service on their website (www.uab.edu/studentimmunizations). Students Enrolled in Health-related Schools Because of the nature of their work, students engaged in health professional training programs could have a higher risk of contracting or transmitting certain diseases. Therefore, all UAB students in the Joint Health Sciences programs and in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Public Health, Nursing, and Health Professions are required to be immunized as outlined by the UAB Student Health Service on their website: (www.uab.edu/studentimmunizations). In lieu of being re-immunized, such individuals may present proof of having had the required immunizations. Proof must be either official medical documentation or certificates of immunization or positive titer. If students do not have such proof or have not been immunized, they must begin the immunization process against these diseases prior to being admitted, attending, enrolling, or participating in UAB academic, research, or clinical programs and activities. All students enrolled in health-related schools must have had a Tuberculin skin test with negative results or negative blood test or appropriate treatment if positive within three months prior to matriculation. Students participating in clinical environments with patients will be required to obtain a two-step Tuberculin skin test or blood test before starting clinical rotations and are mandated to renew their Tuberculin one-step skin test or blood test once per year. Details of this requirement are outlined by the UAB Student Health Service on their website (www.uab.edu/studentimmunizations). Short-term Clinical and International Students Students enrolled in clinical activities for three months or less and international students present at UAB for less than three months will be considered short-term. These students must be screened to rule out active tuberculosis. Screening requirements are outlined by the UAB Student Health Service on their website (www.uab.edu/studentimmunizations). General The UAB Student Health Service will provide such immunizations and titer testing on a fee-for-service basis for any student who needs to meet his or her UAB immunization or titer requirements. Students may choose to fulfill these requirements at the Jefferson County Health Department or with a private physician. Exceptions Exceptions to this policy may be made in limited circumstances for students who can document religious and/or medical and/or other contraindications to the vaccine. Requests for exceptions must be submitted to UAB Student Health Service for consideration and approval. Students enrolled in online programs listed at http://www.uab.edu/studentimmunizations are exempt from this policy. Implementation The Provost is responsible for procedures to implement this policy. |
