Immunization Policy

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Effective Date: August 1, 2024
Issuing Authority: Provost
Policy Contact: Medical Director of Campus Health, 478-301-2696

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect the overall health, safety, and welfare of the Mercer University community by providing student immunization requirements.

Scope

This policy applies to all students at Mercer University.

Exclusions

None

Policy Statement

Mercer University is dedicated to providing a healthy environment for all students.

Immunizations
Unless otherwise exempted, Mercer University students are required to have:

  1. For students born after 1956: Adequate vaccination against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella to include either 2 doses of Measles vaccine, 2 doses of Mumps vaccine, and 1 dose of Rubella vaccine, OR 2 MMR vaccines, OR proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella via an IgG antibody titer (blood test) lab A statement of “up to date” is not sufficient. Students must have been at least 12 months of age when the first vaccine dose was received. If a student is unable to provide dates of immunization to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (or proof of immunity), the student may only register for classes following documentation of the first dose of MMR with the second dose to follow in thirty (30) days (if second dose is required).
  2. A tuberculosis screening test (either a PPD, T-spot, or QuantiFERON only). Any student with a positive PPD skin test will be required to provide a report of a normal chest x-ray (after a positive PPD skin test).
  3. For students residing in on-campus housing, including but not limited to residence halls, sorority or fraternity housing, University apartments, and the Lofts, completion of the State of Georgia Meningococcal Disease Disclosure Form.

Note that some academic programs at Mercer University have additional immunization requirements. Students are advised to check with their specific University program for any additional requirements.

The following immunizations (vaccines) are recommended, but not required by Mercer University: varicella (chickenpox), yearly influenza, tetanus (Tdap), hepatitis B, and meningococcal meningitis A, B, C, W, and Y.

Submitting Immunization Information
Unless otherwise exempted, students must complete the Mercer University Health Information Form in its entirety and must upload those documents to the student’s MyMercer portal. In addition, each student must upload an official copy of the student’s immunization (vaccine) record to the student’s MyMercer portal or other required immunization portal. Copies of immunization records may be found at the student’s local county health department, primary care provider’s office, or the student’s previous high school or college. Students are encouraged to keep a copy of these important documents for their personal records.

Exemptions
Exemptions from compliance with the Mercer University immunization policy include:

Religious Exemption
The student must provide a personal, written statement affirming that the required immunization(s) is in conflict with the student’s sincerely held religious beliefs or practices.

Medical Exemption
The student must provide a letter from the student’s healthcare provider (not a     relative) stating the medical reason for the exemption to the immunization(s) and whether or not the exemption is temporary or permanent. The letter must be provided on the healthcare provider’s official letterhead.

The above exemptions will be reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis.

With the above exemptions, the student must understand that if any vaccine-preventable disease, for which he/she has not been adequately immunized, does occur in our University community, the student may be excluded from participating in classes and/or in-person campus or program clinical events until the infectious disease is no longer a threat to the safety and welfare of the student and the university community. The student further understands that if he/she is excluded from participating in-person, there is no guarantee that a remote option will be made available. Some Mercer University degree programs require students to participate in experiential learning courses at other institutions or third-party facilities. The above exemptions may not be applicable or acceptable for vaccine requirements of other institutions or third-party facilities outside of Mercer University.

Additional Resources

Immunization Forms: https://campushealth.mercer.edu/immunization-and-health-forms/

Website Address

Campus Health: https://campushealth.mercer.edu/