The College of Idaho believes it is in the best interests of the campus community for every student to be vaccinated appropriately. Listed below are the immunizations required of all students for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years.
Returning Students
If you are a returning student at the College, please update your status here.
New Students
All new students must complete the Immunization Record Form that can be found in your incoming student portal. Requesting an exemption to the immunization policy can also be found on the Immunization Record form. For questions about immunizations or other College of Idaho health services, please contact the College's Wellness Center via e-mail at [email protected].
| Required Immunizations | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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| Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) | Two doses administered at least 28 days apart. A positive MMR titer (blood test) will be accepted instead of this series if no records are available. | |
| Meningococcal | A single dose administered within the last five years. If a vaccine was given after the age of 16 you do not need another one. | |
| Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) | A single dose administered within the last ten years. | |
| Varicella | Two doses of Varicella-containing vaccine administered at least 28 days apart. If a student had chickenpox as a child, a positive titer (blood test) will be accepted instead of this vaccination series. |
| Required Immunizations for At-Risk Individuals | |
| Tuberculin (TB) |
Any student coming from or returning from a high-risk country* must obtain an updated TB Skin Test annually. If a student has a positive TB Skin Test, then a chest x-ray taken within the last year is required. |
| Recommended Immunizations | Description |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Two dose vaccine series. A positive Hepatitis A titer (blood test) will be accepted instead of this vaccination if no records are available. |
| Hepatitis B | Three dose vaccine series. A positive Hepatitis B titer (blood test) will be accepted instead of this vaccine if no records are available. |
| HPV | Three dose vaccine series |
| Meningitis B | Two dose vaccine series |
| Influenza | A single dose annually |
| Polio | Primary series in childhood with IPV alone, OPV alone, or IPV/OPV sequentially. |
| COVID-19 | Two doses (one dose of Johnson & Johnson) and one booster dose (two doses for those over 50 years of age of those over 12 years of age who are immunocompromised). |
Timeline
Students must provide all immunization documentation before arriving on campus for classes, moving into residence halls, or participating in any official College function. (Note: if you are unable to meet this timeline due to extenuating circumstances, please contact the Wellness Center Director or the Dean of Students to discuss alternative arrangements)
Students who have an incomplete immunization record as of the 10th day of classes will have a hold placed on their account and will not be able to register for the following semester. In addition, students with incomplete records may be removed from the residence halls and/or in-person courses until all requirements are met (no refunds available). Students participating in intercollegiate sports who have incomplete immunization records will not be allowed to practice or complete until they are compliant with the College's Immunization Policy.
Exemptions
The College of Idaho believes it is in the best interests of the campus community when every student is immunized (population immunity) and, therefore, the College does not allow for personal/philosophical exemptions. The College, however, will consider a medical or religious request for exemption to vaccines; in such instances, a Medical/Religious Exemptions Request Form must be submitted to the Wellness Center for review and approval before arriving on campus for classes, moving into residence halls, or participating in any official College function. Students who do not have an approved exemption and still have an incomplete immunization record as of the 10th day of classes will have a hold placed on their account and will be removed from the residence halls (no refunds available) until all requirements are met. Students participating in intercollegiate sports who have incomplete immunization records will not be allowed to practice or compete until they are compliant with the College's immunization policy. Should an outbreak occur on campus, students with approved exemptions or incomplete immunization records (including recommended immunizations) may be asked to begin regular testing at their own expense, restricted from attending classes or other College activities, and/or removed from the residence halls until there is no further immediate risk to the student (no refunds available).
Tuberculin (TB) High-Risk Countries
All international and exchange students coming from or returning from these countries must receive a TB testing done:
- Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Kazakhastan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libera, Malawai, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Phillippines, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe. (Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, Global Tuberculosis Report 2021).
All international and exchange students, except those from countries currently identified as being low risk, are required to have either a TB (tuberculin) skin test or IGRA (Interferon Gamma Release Assays blood test.)
Students with a history of BCG vaccination are not excluded from tuberculin testing.
If the skin test is positive, a Chest X-ray, evaluation for needed treatment, and MD clearance for activities are required.