Required Immunization and Screening

Required for new students

Student Health welcomes you. As part of your onboarding, your immunization records and history will be reviewed in relation to your program of study.  Click on the tab below to access the Immunization Compliance form, gather your immunization records and take this form to your healthcare provider to complete. Ensure that you complete the demographic information at the top of the form prior sending it to student health with your supporting documentation of immunizations and lab reports.

Immunization Compliance Form
  • Tuberculosis ( TB) surveillance:
    • Must have two separate tuberculin skin tests (2-step TB testing) OR one InterferonGamma Release Assays (IGRA- the blood test for TB) on or after January 15th with the deadline of the year of matriculation. (Note: TB skin testing will only be accepted if performed within the United States, otherwise the blood test must be performed.)
    • The IGRA brand T-Spot and QFT are both acceptable. If providing the blood test all documentation must include the actual lab report with full name and date 
    • If you have a history of a positive TST (PPD) >10mm and a positive IGR blood test, please provide the following:
      • Actual laboratory report of IGRA test
      • Chest X-ray report, performed after your positive IGRA test.
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR):
    • Must supply, written authentic documentation or 2 doses of MMR (with the first dose given after the first year of life, separated by at least 28 days apart) OR 2 doses of measles vaccine, 2 doses of mumps vaccine and 2 doses of rubella vaccine OR serologic proof of immunity for measles, mumps and rubella.  If you are submitting titers, you must provide the actual laboratory reports with reference ranges.
    • If negative or indeterminate blood test results, must supply documentation of 2 MMR doses of vaccine given 28 days apart.
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap):
    • Must supply, written authentic documentation of one dose of adult Tdap given on or after age 11 years old is required. If the last Tdap is more than 10 years old the revaccination is required. 
    • If you are coming from another country and you cannot obtain the Tdap vaccine in your home country, you may obtain it once you arrive from a provider in the US.
  • Varicella: History of disease is not sufficient.
    • Must supply, written authentic documentation of 2 doses of the varicella vaccine (with the first dose given after the first year of life, separated by at least 28 days apart) vaccine OR serologic proof of immunity. If you are submitting a titer, you must provide the actual laboratory reports with reference ranges.
    • If negative, indeterminate or equivocal blood test results, must supply documentation of two doses of the vaccine at least 28 days apart.
    • A documented history of the chickenpox is not acceptable prove of immunity.
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine:
    • Student Health mandates that individuals first entering Washington University School of Medicine be immunized against hepatitis B virus (three-doses of a three-dose series or two – doses of a two-dose series) prior to enrollment.  In addition, student enrolled in the Medical, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Audiology/Communication programs must provide documentation of the actual laboratory report of a quantitative hepatitis B antibody titer with a reference range.  
    • If the hepatitis B titer is non-reactive or negative, you should receive one additional hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B vaccine is preferred) and recheck the quantitative titer no sooner than 28 days later
  • Hepatitis B surface Antibody Titer. Must supply copy of laboratory report with legal name. Required if completed series and enrolled in Medical, Occupation Therapy or Physical Therapy programs.

Recommended immunizations

We also recommend that students provide proof of immunization for the following, although these are not required to achieve mandatory immunization compliance:

  • COVID-19 Vaccine.The COVID-19 vaccine is included in the United States 2025 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for individuals aged 19 and older, as developed by the CDC ACIP and collaborating healthcare professional societies. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended, but not required. While the WUSM campus no longer requires at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, many clinical sites do require proof of full immunization with an FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine, or an approved religious or medical exemption. For additional information see the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
  • Heptatitis A vaccine
  • Typhoid
  • Yellow Fever
  • Polio
  • Meningitis

Exemptions from immunizations

If the immunizations are contrary to your religious beliefs, you will need to sign  a vaccine declination statement in order to be considered for exemption. This is reviewed by Human Resource.

If immunizations are not advisable because of a medical condition, an official statement from a licensed medical doctor must be sent to Student Health for review.

Exemption form information

To request a medical or religious exemption, please fill out the appropriate form and return.

School of Medicine Student exemption forms: