Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations

For all incoming undergraduate and graduate students:

1. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) - Written documentation of two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine given on or after 12 months of age and at least 30 days apart or a copy of blood test results (titers) showing immunity.
2. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (serogroup ACWY) - first year college students who are living in a residence hall should receive a dose if they are unvaccinated, had their last dose before turning 16, or it has been over 5 years since the last dose (given after turning 16).

CWU strongly recommend the following vaccines:

1. Meningococcal B: Although uncommon, meningitis B is a serious disease that can attack the lining of the brain and spinal cord or cause a serious infection of the blood. Approximately 10% to 15% of people infected with meningococcal disease will die, sometimes as quickly as 24 hours after symptoms appear. College students are 5x times more likely to contract Meningitis than non-college students. Since 2011, Meningitis serogroup B accounted for 100% of all meningococcal disease outbreaks on college campuses in the US.
2. COVID-19: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, a flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. COVID-19 vaccines help the body develop protection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Although vaccinated people sometimes get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19.
3. Varicella (chicken pox): Chickenpox is highly contagious. It can spread through direct contact with the rash. It can also spread when a person with the chickenpox coughs or sneezes and you inhale the air droplets. Chicken pox is normally a mild disease but it can be serious and may lead to severe complications, or death.
4. Influenza: Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu and may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu.
5. Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): Tetanus enters the body through a wound or cut. It affects the brain and nervous system and causes extremely painful muscles spasms. Tetanus kills one out of five people infected with the disease. Diphtheria is a very contagious infection that makes it difficult to breathe. In severe cases, it can cause heart and nerve damage. Pertussis, or whooping cough. is an extremely contagious respiratory infection that can lead to severe breathing problems, especially in infants. Pertussis first appears like an ordinary cold, but then causes intense, uncontrollable coughing spells.
6. Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Sexual transmission of hepatitis B can occur during exposure to infected blood and body fluids. Transmission of the virus may also occur through the reuse of needles and syringes in persons who inject drugs. In addition, infection can occur through tattooing, or through the use of razors and similar objects that are contaminated with infected blood. Hepatitis B vaccination provides 98-100% protection.
7. Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Although rare, hepatitis A can cause death in some people. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine.
8. HPV: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.

For more information on recommended immunizations: WA state D.O.H. - Immunizations for College Students

• Ask parents or other caregivers if they have records of your childhood immunizations.
• Contact your high school or prior university.
• Contact your doctor.
• Contact the Immunization Registry in the state where you received your childhood vaccines.
• If after checking these resources you still cannot locate your records, you have the following options:
• Re-vaccination from your primary care healthcare provider, local health department or CWU Student Health Services.
• Request an antibody titer (blood test) for Measles, Mumps and Rubella from your primary healthcare provider or CWU Student Health Services.

You must submit an Immunization Exemption Form for medical or religious reasons. Visit Med+Proctor to create an account. This service is free for all CWU students. You are not required to pay any fees to use Med+Proctor. On their website, you may come across an offer for additional services, beyond what is needed, for a $10 fee. You are not required to pay for, or use, any additional services from Med+Proctor.

Download the required form and follow the directions provided. The form must be signed by the student, or student’s parent or legal guardian if under age 18, and a healthcare practitioner. Once complete, upload form to your Med+Proctor account. You will receive an email confirmation once the form has been reviewed.

A student granted a medical or religious exemption may be excluded from the university during a disease outbreak. The length and time the student is excluded from the university will vary depending the type of disease and the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.

Students who arrive on campus without meeting the immunization requirements will be sanctioned per CWU policy. This may result in the university placing a hold on the student account, which will prevent registration the following quarter. To ensure the health of all students and the entire campus community is at minimum risk from an outbreak, we require students to provide the information prior to arrival on campus.