C12: Student Immunizations

Responsibility for Maintenance: Student Central

Date of most recent changes: June 17, 2024

I. Policy Statement

Immunization Against Measles, Mumps and Rubella
Pursuant to Section 2165 of the New York Public Health Law and accompanying regulations of the Commissioner of Health, each Student of Onondaga Community College must provide to the College a certificate of Immunization meeting the requirements of this policy from a Health Practitioner or other acceptable form of evidence of such Student’s Immunization against measles, mumps and rubella, unless such Student presents: (i) a certificate from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner certifying that such Immunization may be detrimental to the person’s health or is otherwise medically contraindicated (in which case the requirements may be waived until such Immunization is determined no longer to be detrimental to the Student’s health or otherwise medically contraindicated); (ii) proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within ten years from the date of application to Onondaga Community College (which shall qualify the Student to attend the College pending the actual receipt of Immunization records from the armed forces); or (iii) a written and signed statement from the Student, or parent or guardian if applicable, that they hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs that prohibit Immunization of the Student.

In the event that a Student registers at the College and has not complied with this section, the College shall inform such Student of the requirement that he or she be immunized, that such Immunization may be administered by any Health Practitioner, or that the Student may be immunized by the health officer in the county where the Student resides or in Onondaga County. If the Student does not comply, he or she must be given notice that attendance at the College requires Immunization unless a valid reason is provided by such Student in accordance with this section.

The College shall not permit any Student to attend more than 30 days without complying with this section. Such 30-day period may be extended to not more than 45 days for a Student where such Student is from out of state and can show a good faith effort to comply with this section.

The College shall provide annually to the Commissioner of Health, on forms provided by the Commissioner, a summary regarding compliance with Section 2165 of the Public Health Law.

Immunization Against Meningococcal Meningitis
With regard to meningococcal meningitis, and pursuant to Section 2167 of the New York Public Health Law and accompanying regulations of the Commissioner of Health, each Student of the College must receive, in a form provided and approved by the Commissioner of Health, a response form, to be completed by the Student or, where the Student is under the age of 18 years, such Student’s parent or guardian, which shall include the following: (i) certification that the Student has received Immunization against meningococcal meningitis within five years preceding the date of the response form; or (ii) certification that the Student or parent has received and reviewed the information provided by the College and understands the risks of meningococcal meningitis and the benefits of Immunization, and has decided that the Student shall not obtain Immunization against meningococcal meningitis.

The College shall not permit any Student to attend the College more than 30 days without complying with this section, provided, however, that such 30 day period may be extended to not more than 60 days if a Student can show a good faith effort to comply. 

II. Reason for Policy

This policy is intended to ensure compliance with New York Public Health Law Sections 2165 and 2167, and the corresponding Department of Health Regulations.

III. Applicability of the Policy

This policy applies to all Students who are registered for 6 or more credit hours. All Students, and all employees of Student Central, should be familiar with this policy.

IV. Related Documents

• New York State Public Health Law Section 2165 and 2167
• New York State Commissioner of Health Regulations, 10 NYCRR Part 66-2

V. Contacts

VI. Definitions

VII. Procedures

Responsibilities of College Officers and Administrators

Student Central is deemed responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this policy. The President will ensure that adequate resources are directed to overall compliance and will review the annual “Post-Secondary Institution Immunization Survey Summary” prior to its transmittal to the New York State Department of Health. The Vice Presidents will, according to their areas of institutional control, ensure that staff and students are fully informed of the substance and intent of this policy and will provide inter/intra departmental cooperation requisite to full compliance.

Student Central will ensure enforcement of all requirements including reporting and referral of non-compliant Students, reporting of any and all extant cases of measles, mumps or rubella to the proper Health Department authorities, and the exclusion from attendance at the College of any and all non-compliant Students. Student Central will implement procedures outlined herein in a manner consistent with maximal compliance and ensure that the records are maintained in an accurate and timely manner. Student Central will directly supervise such professional and clerical personnel that the College deems necessary about the review of documents, the surveillance of noncompliance, the maintenance of records and the reporting of noncompliance to the Vice President of Enrollment Management. Student Central will compile and complete the annual Post-Secondary Institution Immunization Survey Summary, which will be forwarded to the State Health Department each year after review by the President.

Certificate of Immunization Requirements:

For measles, students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to measles. Only one of the following is required:

• The student must submit proof of two doses of live measles vaccine: the first dose given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday and the second at least 28 days after the first dose; or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to measles. This means the demonstration of measles antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
• The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician that the student has had measles disease; or
• The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services; or
• If a student is unable to access his/her immunization record from a health care provider or previous school, documentation that proves the student attended primary or secondary school in the United States after 1980 will be sufficient proof that the student received one dose of live measles vaccine. If this option is used, the second dose of measles vaccine must have been administered within one year of attendance at a post- secondary institution.

For Mumps, students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to mumps. Only one of the following is required:

• The student must submit proof of one dose of live mumps vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to mumps. This means the demonstration of mumps antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
• The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician that the student has had mumps disease; or
• The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

For Rubella, students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to rubella. Only one of the following is required:

• The student must submit proof of one dose of live rubella vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to rubella. This means the demonstration of rubella antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory (Since rubella rashes resemble rashes of other diseases, it is impossible to diagnose reliably on clinical grounds alone. Serological evidence is the only permissible alternative to immunization.); or
• The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

For Meningococcal Disease, New York State PHL Section 2167 requires post-secondary institutions to distribute information about meningococcal disease and immunization to the students, or parents or guardians of students under the age of 18, accompanied by a response form. The institution is required to maintain appropriate documentation for each student. Acceptable documentation includes any of the following:

• A vaccine record indicating at least 1 dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last 5 years or a complete 2- or 3-dose series of MenB without a response form; or
• A signed response form with a vaccine record (If a student submits a response form selecting this option, a vaccine record must be attached); or
• A signed response form indicating that the student will obtain meningococcal vaccine within 30 days; or
• A signed response form indicating that the student will not obtain immunization against meningococcal disease.

If the student has not received meningococcal vaccine within the past 5 years, then he/she must submit the signed response form.

A Certificate of Immunization that shows the Student is in the process of completing the above stated requirements for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella is also acceptable, if the Student has received at least one dose of live measles virus vaccine, has complied with the mumps and rubella requirements, and has an appointment to return to a Health Practitioner for the remainder of the Immunizations (in the case of measles, the appointment may not be scheduled more than 90 days since the administration of the first dose of measles virus vaccine).

Record Keeping and Reporting

Records will be maintained by the College such that the status of any and all students can be ascertained on short notice and in a manner consistent with regulations of the Commissioner of Health. Such records will include but not be limited to the following and will be held to be strictly confidential with access limited to those College or State personnel whose duties require information from these records.

The College’s master file will include the “Immunization Status” of all students in accordance with the requirements of this policy. At the direction of Student Central, such additional information as is deemed necessary will be recorded for all students whose status would include them in the “Total Number Enrolled” for reporting in the “Post-Secondary Institution Immunization Survey Summary.”

Student Central will review all Immunization information submitted to determine compliance with the Commissioner’s regulations. Immunization data will be entered on the College’s master file and maintained for a period of at least 10 years.

Original copies of all records of Immunizations administered by Student Central, lab work results, and documentation of exempt status will be maintained by Student Central.

A file will be maintained by Student Central that will include the names and status of all students deemed “susceptible”. This surveillance file will be maintained and reviewed and in the case of an outbreak of disease will be available for the execution of orders by the appropriate health officer with regard to each category of Student under surveillance. This file is used in conjunction with the master electronic file for the removal from classes of non-compliant students by Student Central.

An Immunization Survey Summary form will be submitted annually by Student Central in the format specified by the New York State Department of Health from the records specified above. This summary will be then will be forwarded to the Immunization Program at the Department of Health by the deadline established.

Student Assistance

The College will provide reasonable assistance to Students in their efforts to comply with this policy in a timely manner. Such assistance will include, but is not limited to: (i) early notification of the requirements for Immunization or exemption as an integral part of the application and admission process; (ii) timely and consistent follow-up notices to non-compliant students at appropriate intervals; and (iii) referrals to practitioners authorized to administer Immunizations including those health officers of the County mandated to do so for those unable to pay.

Approved by OCC Board of Trustees April 3, 2006

Updated and approved by the President March 28, 2016

Updated and approved by the President June 23, 2022

Updated and approved by the President June 17, 2024