The Student Health clinic at the Medical Campus will be closed Friday, May 17, 2024, for a division-wide event. The Monroe Park clinic will remain open from 10am to 4pm.
1. What if I am unable to obtain documentation for my childhood vaccines?
If official documentation is not obtainable from your physician’s office, primary or secondary school, or military records, you will be required to:
2. How do I know if VCU has received my immunization records?
Records received by Student Health will be entered into your web portal immunization record. You can check the status of your submission but logging into the VCU Student Health Web Portal. Go to the "My Profile" tab. If your vaccines, titers, and TB information are listed under "Immun. History", then your documentation has been processed.
3. How do you communicate with me regarding follow-up?
VCU Student Health Services utilizes secure messaging through the Web Portal to protect your personal information. A secure message will be sent if there is an issue regarding your immunization status. Log in to the VCU Student Health Web Portal to read your message. Please do not ignore these messages as immunization noncompliance may affect your ability to participate in clinicals.
4. I need my off-site rotation paperwork completed. What should I do?
If paperwork only requires the signature of a medical provider to confirm immunizations, students can upload a copy of the form to the Web Portal:
If off-site rotation paperwork requires additional vaccines or titers, you should schedule a nurse appointment to complete requirements and to have forms reviewed and signed. Please complete as much of your paperwork as possible before the visit.
If a physical or a statement regarding your health is required, you will need to schedule a physical with a clinician. Call (804) 828-9220 for the VCU Medical Campus or (804) 828-8828 for the Monroe Park Campus. Again, please complete as much of your paperwork as possible prior to the appointment.
Vaccine requirements for Health Sciences students will vary depending on the clinical site. Students should verify vaccine requirements with their specific sites.
Commonly required vaccines may include Influenza, COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Varicella (chickenpox), and Tuberculosis testing. Common questions about requirements specific to Health Sciences students are reviewed below. For other vaccine questions, please visit our General FAQs page.
If I had chickenpox, do I need a Varicella titer?
Some clinical rotation sites may require proof of immunity to varicella:
1. What are the Hepatitis B requirements?
VCU currently requires 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine OR 3 doses of Twinrix OR 2 doses of HEPLISAV-B. Some clinical sites may also require serological evidence of immunity with a positive Hepatitis B titer.
2. What if my Hepatitis B titer is negative?
If your Hepatitis B titer is negative and your clinical site requires a positive titer, you will need to be revaccinated according to current CDC recommendations. Once you complete the recommended doses, you will receive another titer 30-60 days later (CDC Healthcare Personnel Vaccinations Recommendations, 3/2015).
If your titer is still negative after 3 additional doses of Hepatitis B vaccine, contact University Student Health Services to discuss your follow-up options. If you are considered a non-responder, you will be counseled on the risks of blood and body fluid exposures.
Do I have to get a MMR titer if I have documentation of two vaccines?
At this time, VCU does not require a MMR titer if you have documentation of 2 doses of MMR vaccine administered after your first birthday and spaced at least 28 days apart.
If you do not have documentation of 2 doses, you will be required to submit titer results. If the titer is negative, 1 or 2 booster doses of the vaccine will be required; this will be based on the titer results for each of the 3 diseases (Measles, Mumps & Rubella).
Please note that some off-site rotations require MMR titers, so you may need to have a titer drawn at a later date.
1. What is a two-step TB test, and do I need it?
A two-step TB test requires having one TB test administered and read, then a second test administered and read 7-30 days later. If you have completed annual TB testing consecutively for the last 5 years, you can submit these test dates and results in place of the two-step TB test requirement.
2. What is an IGRA test for TB?
In lieu of a two-step TB test, you may opt to have the one-visit IGRA test. This is a blood test specific to the TB mycobacteria. If the test is negative, no further action is required until your annual TB screening is due.
3. What if my TB test is positive?
You will be required to have a chest x-ray to rule out active TB disease. You may discuss your results with a clinic nurse by calling the Immunization Help Desk at (804) 827-8047 during regular business hours. Once your information is reviewed, we can help you with the next steps and discuss annual requirements.
4. What if I have a history of a positive TB test?
If you have a history of a positive TB skin test or IGRA, you will need to complete a TB symptom survey annually. You will need to submit a chest x-ray result dated within the prior six months of an August 1 start date.
If you were treated for latent TB infection (LTBI), please submit your treatment documentation.