Penn State Requirements
The Pennsylvania State University requires all degree-seeking students born after 1956 to be immunized with the following immunizations and to submit this information via myUHS. Students born before 1957 are considered immune and are exempt from the MMR immunization requirement. All students are also encouraged to complete an online Health History form.
- Print out a sample of the online health history form.
- Print out a sample of the online immunization form.
DO NOT MAIL SAMPLE FORMS TO UHS/PENN STATE. YOU MUST ENTER THIS INFORMATION THROUGH myUHS.
Required Immunizations
These requirements must be met or your ability to register for your second semester at Penn State may be impacted. All required immunizations are available at University Health Services (UHS) or you may elect to see another health care provider.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Two doses of MMR. Dose one of MMR must be administered after the first birthday and the second given a minimum of four weeks later
or
Two doses of measles given four weeks apart, two doses of mumps given four weeks apart and one dose of rubella. All doses must be administered after the first birthday.
or
Blood (titer) tests showing immunity to measles, mumps and rubella.
Disease history for measles, mumps or rubella is not accepted. - Tuberculosis (TB)
Penn State University requires Tuberculosis (TB) testing for all degree-seeking foreign-born students from high-risk countries as defined by the American College Health Association (ACHA). Students attending University Park who are considered high risk for TB will be required to schedule an appointment with a University Health Services nurse. UHS will notify these students when they can schedule an appointment.
- Meningococcal Meningitis
Pennsylvania state law requires all students living in University-owned housing must complete the Meningococcal Vaccine Certification form.
Exemptions from Requirements
Students can request an exemption from the immunization requirements if there is a medical contraindication or if religious or philosophical belief prohibits immunizations. A request for exemption can be submitted by e-mail to Margaret Spear, M.D. at mes10ATsa.psu.edu. Please include your PSU ID#, date of birth and campus information in your e-mail.Please note that students granted an exemption will be notified in the unlikely event of a measles and/or mumps outbreak and will have the option of receiving a vaccine at that time or will be advised to leave the Penn State campus until the outbreak is over. Request for exemption for the Meningococcal vaccine must be submitted through Penn State Housing.
Recommended Immunizations
The following immunizations are not required for matriculation at Penn State. However, these vaccines are recommended for the students indicated.
All recommended immunizations are available at University Health Services (UHS) or you may elect to see another health care provider.
- Varicella (Chicken Pox) Two doses provide immunity. The vaccine is recommended for:
- Students who have never had chickenpox or have not been fully vaccinated and are healthcare workers and family contacts of immuno-compromised persons
- Students living in a household with children
- Teachers, daycare workers
- Non-pregnant women of childbearing age
- International traveler
- Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine is recommended for all young adults. It protects against Hepatitis B which is a serious form of liver disease. Hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure to blood and other body fluids and is also sexually transmitted. This is a three dose vaccine.The first two doses are given four weeks apart and the third dose at least four to six months after the second.
- Hepatitis A is a two dose vaccine recommended for:
- Anyone wishing to obtain immunity to Hepatitis A
- Students traveling or working anywhere outside of the U.S., Western Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Japan
- Students with chronic liver disease, including persons with Hepatitis B and C
- Intravenous drug users
- Men who have sex with men
- Students with clotting-factor disorders
- Food handlers
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) (Gardasil) vaccine is recommended for all female students. Gardasil is highly effective against four types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) including two that cause most cervical cancers. Protection works best when given before a woman becomes sexually active, although it may also benefit women who are already sexually active and even those who already have one of the four types of HPV viruses that cause cervical cancer. This is a three dose vaccine.
- Pneumococcal is a one dose vaccine recommended for students with long term health problems such as diabetes or heart disease or any condition that lowers the body's resistance to infection. Pneumococcal vaccination protects against pneumonia, a lung infection caused by Pneumococcus bacterium. There are more than 80 different types of pneumococcus bacteria–23 of these are covered in the current vaccination.
- Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td), Tdap Booster (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine) Incoming students whose last Td immunization was more than five years ago should receive a booster with Tdap.
Students whose last Td booster was more than two years ago should get a Tdap booster if they have a history of pulmonary disease (including asthma) or if they are pursuing a teaching or health career.
Fees
The cost of some of the immunizations (but not all) may be covered for students who have purchased the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan.
See our fee index for a complete listing of costs associated with immunizations.