Lori Meadows
Universities require students to be vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) to prevent the spread of these diseases on campus. In the past, nearly everyone was infected with these diseases during childhood, but now, with the availability of vaccines, it is essential to get vaccinated to protect oneself and others. Students who are not vaccinated may be exempted for medical or religious reasons but may be excluded from campus during an outbreak. To ensure the safety of the university community, institutions often require students to provide proof of immunity or vaccination before enrolling, with some states mandating the public disclosure of immunization and exemption rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Colorado, New York |
| Students Affected | New students, first and second-year students, undergraduate and graduate students, part-time students |
| Vaccine Requirements | MMR, Meningococcal |
| Number of Doses | 2 doses of MMR, 1 dose of Meningococcal ACWY |
| Interval Between Doses | Minimum of 28 days, maximum of 90 days |
| Exemption | Medical exemption, non-medical exemption, religious exemption |
| Reporting | Annual reporting of immunization and exemption data |
| Public Information | Immunization and exemption rates available upon request |
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What You'll Learn
Preventing measles, mumps, rubella
Measles, mumps and rubella are three serious, potentially fatal, viral illnesses that can lead to serious complications, including meningitis, pneumonia, brain inflammation, blindness, hearing loss, premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth. Before the MMR vaccine was introduced over 60 years ago, nearly everyone was infected with these viruses during childhood. Now, the MMR vaccine is recommended for all babies and young children, but older children and adults can also receive it if they were not vaccinated when they were younger.
The MMR vaccine is a single shot that combines three vaccines in one. It is very safe and effective at preventing measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles and rubella and 86% effective at preventing mumps. While the vaccine is also effective at protecting against mumps, some people may lose immunity to mumps over time and may need an additional dose during a mumps outbreak.
In the US, the MMR vaccine is recommended for all measles vaccine doses to provide increased protection against all three diseases. In New York State, post-secondary students attending colleges and universities must demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. Similarly, in Colorado, students attending colleges or universities with residence hall facilities are required to provide evidence of protection from these diseases.
If you don't have immunity against measles, mumps, or rubella, you should talk to your doctor about getting the MMR vaccine. It is safe for breastfeeding women to receive the MMR vaccine, and it is not harmful to get the MMR vaccine after being exposed to these diseases. If you get the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of being exposed to measles, you may get some protection or have a milder illness.
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Protecting vulnerable students
Universities require students to be vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) to protect vulnerable students. Before the MMR vaccine was introduced, nearly everyone was infected with these diseases during childhood. However, the majority of people born before 1957 are likely to have been infected naturally and are therefore presumed to have immunity.
The requirement to vaccinate students is to protect those who are vulnerable to these diseases and may suffer adverse health effects. In the case of an outbreak, disease control efforts should be directed at all students, staff, and faculty, and immunization records will be audited for proof of immunity. Those who are not immune may be excluded from the campus and classes.
In Colorado, for example, students attending colleges or universities with residence halls must provide evidence of protection from MMR and meningococcal disease. In New York, students must demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. This applies to all students who are registered to attend post-secondary institutions in New York State, regardless of the duration of their stay or their area of origin.
Students who are in the process of receiving immunization may be permitted to attend classes, but they must submit proof and provide dates of appointments with a health practitioner or facility. Students who are not in the process of immunization and do not meet the MMR requirement may obtain a Certificate of Medical or Nonmedical Exemption. However, in the event of a disease outbreak, no exemption or exception shall be recognized, and exempted persons may be subject to exclusion from school and quarantine.
To protect vulnerable students, it is essential that universities enforce these immunization requirements and take appropriate action in the event of an outbreak.
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Religious and medical exemptions
Universities require students to be vaccinated with MMR to protect the whole community against diseases. In one study, a 5% drop in MMR vaccine coverage led to a threefold increase in measles cases each year. Even vaccinated individuals may be at a small risk if there is an infected person in the community. Measles is highly contagious, and up until a few decades ago, it was the leading cause of death among children globally.
Some students may be exempt from vaccination if, in the opinion of the institution, the student or their parents hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs that are contrary to the practice of immunization. The student requesting exemption may or may not be a member of an established religious organization. Exemption requests must be written and signed by the student or their parents/guardian. The institution may require supporting documents, but it is not mandatory for the religious exemption statement to be notarized. In the event of an outbreak, religious exempt individuals should be protected from exposure, which may include exclusion from classes or campus.
Students who do not meet the MMR requirement and wish to obtain a medical exemption may do so by obtaining a Certificate of Medical or Nonmedical Exemption and providing that documentation to their school. To get a medical exemption, parents need to have their child's doctor sign a form. In some states, almost half of the states, doctors need to sign a new form every year or so. A person may be exempt if a physician certifies in writing that the immunization may be detrimental to their health. Reasons for medical exemption include having a disease or taking medicine that weakens the immune system, or having a severe allergy to a vaccine or an ingredient in it.
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Reporting and compliance
In Colorado, the Colorado Board of Health rule 6 CCR 1009-2 requires colleges and universities to report aggregate immunisation and exemption data to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) annually. This data is to be reported by 15 January each year. The public can access Colorado immunisation data through the college/university, school, and childcare immunisation dashboard.
In New York, the law requires that students be permitted to attend class while they are in the process of receiving immunisation. Students must submit proof that they are in the process of receiving immunisation, including dates of appointments with a health practitioner or facility. The institution should maintain supervision of the student until the immunisation process is completed. If the student defaults, they may be excluded.
In New York, students must provide documentation of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella for continued college or university attendance beyond 30 days (45 days for out-of-state students). The institution should inform the student that they will not be permitted to attend the institution after the maximum grace period permitted by law.
In Colorado, students who do not meet the MMR requirement and wish to obtain an exemption may do so by obtaining a Certificate of Medical or Nonmedical Exemption and providing that documentation to their school. In the event of a disease outbreak, no exemption or exception from immunisation shall be recognised, and exempted persons may be subject to exclusion from school and quarantine.
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Meningococcal disease
Universities require students to be vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) to protect them from these infectious diseases. Before the introduction of the MMR vaccine, almost everyone was infected with these viruses during childhood. Now, the vaccine provides increased protection against all three diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccines are required to protect students from these diseases. Before MMR vaccines were available, nearly everyone was infected with these viruses during childhood. Now, universities require students to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks on campus.
Students who do not meet the MMR requirement may be exempt if a physician certifies that the vaccine may be detrimental to their health or if they have genuine and sincere religious beliefs that are contrary to immunization. However, in the event of a disease outbreak, no exemption will be recognized, and non-immunized students may be excluded from campus and quarantined.
Students must provide documentation of two valid doses of the MMR vaccine, separated by a minimum interval of 28 days. Alternatively, they can provide laboratory confirmation of positive titers for all three components (measles, mumps, and rubella).
