College Students: Get Your Vaccine In Ny!

are college students eligible for vaccine in ny

New York State requires all children attending daycare and pre-K through 12th grade in school to receive all recommended vaccines unless they have a valid medical exemption. This includes all public, private, and religious schools. In addition, New York State Public Health Law 2165 requires post-secondary students attending colleges and universities to demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). This law applies to persons born on or after January 1, 1957, with specific requirements for full-time first and second-year students. College students in New York State are, therefore, eligible for the MMR vaccine and may be required to submit proof of immunization to their respective educational institutions.

Characteristics Values
Who must be vaccinated? All kids going to public, private, and religious schools, pre-K, and day care.
Who is exempt? Those with a valid medical exemption.
What are the consequences of non-compliance? De-enrollment from the University, including de-enrollment that is mandated in certain circumstances by New York law.
What vaccines are required? MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Meningococcal Meningitis (for students under 21).
How many doses of MMR are required? 2 doses at least 28 days apart, with the first dose administered on or after the first birthday.
How many doses of the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine are required? 1 dose on or after the 16th birthday and within the last 5 years.
Where can students get vaccinated? At the SHC, at an NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene clinic, through their own healthcare provider, or at most urgent care clinics.

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MMR vaccine requirements

In New York, college students are required to provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) as per the New York State Public Health Law. This law applies to students born after January 1, 1957, who are enrolled for at least six semester hours or the equivalent per semester, or registered for six or more credits. Students must submit documentation of having received two doses of measles vaccine, with the first dose administered on or after the first birthday and the second dose at least 28 days to one month later. Additionally, at least one dose of mumps and one dose of rubella vaccine, both administered after the first birthday, are required.

The MMR vaccine combines these three antigens (measles, mumps, and rubella) and can be administered in a single dose. This vaccine is available free of charge at select Department of Health Clinics for students enrolled in a post-secondary educational program to fulfill school requirements. Alternatively, students can get vaccinated at an NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene clinic, through their own healthcare provider, or at most urgent care clinics.

Students who are taking fully online or remote classes and do not utilize in-person services are typically exempt from these immunization requirements. Additionally, exemptions may be requested based on religious convictions or health reasons, although health science students are not eligible for exemptions. International students may have different deadlines for submitting their immunization records.

Some colleges in New York may have additional immunization requirements or testing, particularly for students in health-related programs or veterinary medicine. For example, New York State law requires a meningitis response form, although the meningitis vaccine is not mandatory. Students under 21 taking six or more credits must provide proof of vaccination against meningitis, while students 21 and older may opt out by completing a waiver form.

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Meningitis vaccination

In New York, all college and university students, regardless of age, who are enrolled for at least six semester hours or the equivalent per semester, must complete and return the Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Response Form before their first semester. This is a requirement of the New York State Public Health Law, which was signed into law in 2003.

The Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine is not mandatory, but proof of vaccination within the last five years is required for students who choose to get vaccinated. Students who opt out of the vaccine can select the third option on the form to have the hold removed immediately.

Students can submit proof of their Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination in several ways, including:

  • Having their healthcare provider fill out, sign, stamp, and attach their immunization documentation to the Immunization Form.
  • Providing a signed and stamped copy of their healthcare provider's or clinic record.
  • Providing an original signed and stamped copy of their lifetime immunization record card (childhood yellow/blue immunization card).
  • Providing an official signed and stamped copy of immunization records from a former high school, college, employer, or other institutions they attended.

Students born after 1994 and raised in New York City can check the Citywide Immunization Registry for their records by calling 311.

Meningococcal disease is uncommon but can cause serious illness and even death. Vaccines are the best way to protect against the disease, but side effects can occur. Most people who get vaccinated don't experience any problems, but mild side effects may go away on their own within a few days.

Students can get vaccinated at their college health center, a New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene clinic, their own healthcare provider, or at most urgent care clinics.

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Submission deadlines

Students at Hunter College must submit proof of their immunization records before they can register for classes. International students at Hunter College have until Thursday, October 9, 2025, to submit proof of immunization.

Students at NYU must submit their immunization information and upload a copy of the original documents, lab results, or the completed Student Immunization History Form. They will then receive an email within 7-10 business days to notify them of whether or not they have met the immunization requirements.

According to New York State Public Health Law 2165, post-secondary students attending colleges and universities must demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. Students born after January 1, 1957, and taking six credits or more must provide documentation of proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

Students at CUNY must upload vaccination documentation ten days before classes begin or before visiting a CUNY facility.

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Proof of vaccination

In New York, colleges and universities are responsible for ensuring that students provide proof of vaccination. The specific requirements and eligible types of proof vary by institution.

Hunter College

Hunter College requires students to submit proof of their immunization records before registering for classes, as mandated by New York State Public Health Law 2165.

For the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, students must provide one of the following:

  • Official records of two measles immunizations, with the first one administered on or after the first birthday, and the second given at least 28 days later.
  • Official records of one mumps vaccine dose, administered on or after the first birthday.
  • Official records of one rubella vaccine dose, administered on or after the first birthday.

Alternatively, students can provide an MMR diagnosis accompanied by a titer test, especially for rubella.

Additionally, students taking six or more credits must submit the Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Response Form.

Proof of these vaccines must be documented through official immunization records, which can be obtained from healthcare providers, clinics, previous educational institutions, or public health departments.

New York University (NYU)

NYU requires all students born on or after January 1, 1957, and taking six or more credits to provide documentation of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

To comply with this requirement, students must provide one of the following:

  • Official records of two measles immunizations, with the first dose administered on or after 12 months of age and the second dose given at least 28 days later.
  • Official records of one mumps immunization, administered on or after 12 months of age.
  • Official records of one rubella immunization, administered on or after 12 months of age.

Alternatively, students can submit a completed and signed Student Immunization History Form or provide serological evidence (blood test) proving immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.

Additionally, students under 21 years of age, taking six or more credits, must provide proof of vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis (serogroups A, C, W, Y) received on or after their 16th birthday and within the last five years.

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

NYIT, in compliance with New York State Public Health Laws, requires students enrolled for at least six semester hours or the equivalent to provide written proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, and meningococcal meningitis.

International students arriving within the last five years from specific countries must also submit proof of tuberculosis (TB) testing done within the last six months before classes commence.

Obtaining Vaccinations and Proof of Immunization

Students can obtain vaccinations and official immunization records from various sources, including:

  • Department of Health Clinics: Free MMR vaccinations are offered at specific clinics, such as the Fort Greene Health Center in Brooklyn, NY.
  • Student Health Centers (SHC): NYU students can receive vaccinations and blood tests at the SHC for a modest charge.
  • Healthcare Providers: Students can get vaccinated or obtain their immunization records from their healthcare providers.
  • Urgent Care Clinics: Vaccinations and blood tests are available at most urgent care clinics.
  • High Schools and Colleges: Transfer students can request their immunization records from their previous educational institutions.
  • Public Health Departments: Immunization records can be obtained from public health departments, such as the Citywide Immunization Registry for students raised in New York City.
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Medical exemptions

In New York, all children attending daycare and pre-K through 12th grade in the state must receive all the required doses of vaccines to attend or remain in school. This includes all public, private, and religious schools. However, a valid medical exemption from immunization is accepted. A medical exemption is allowed when a child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving a vaccine. There are no non-medical exemptions to school vaccine requirements in New York State.

For college students, the requirements vary depending on the institution and their policies. For instance, at Hunter College, all students, faculty, and staff must provide proof of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccinations and complete the Meningococcal Vaccination Response Form if they are taking 6 or more credits. Failure to do so will result in an administrative withdrawal from all classes. International students at Hunter College have until October 9, 2025, to submit proof of immunization.

At NYU, the Student Policy on Immunization requires all students in the United States and at NYU Study Away sites to meet certain immunization requirements and submit documentation. Specifically, all students born on or after January 1, 1957, and taking six or more credits must provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Additionally, students under 21 taking six or more credits must provide proof of vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis (serogroups A, C, W, Y) received on or after their 16th birthday and within the last five years. Students 21 years or older taking six or more credits may opt out of this requirement by completing a waiver form.

While the above information provides insights into vaccine requirements and exemptions for college students in New York, it is important to recognize that the policies and requirements may vary across different educational institutions. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to the specific guidelines provided by each college or university for detailed and accurate information regarding their immunization policies, including any medical exemption processes they may have in place.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, college students are eligible for the MMR vaccine in New York. Students born after January 1, 1957, and taking six or more credits must provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

Students can get the MMR vaccine at a clinic, through their healthcare provider, or at most urgent care clinics.

Students must provide documentation of two immunizations against measles, with the first one administered on or after their first birthday and the second one a minimum of 28 days later. They must also provide documentation of at least one immunization against mumps and one immunization against rubella, both administered on or after their first birthday.

Consequences of non-compliance can include de-enrollment from the university, being prevented from entering campus buildings, and having a student identification card deactivated.

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