During your course work and training, you may be in close contact with clients and patients who are ill. You may be at high risk for certain infections and if you are ill you may pose a high risk to vulnerable client and patient populations with whom you work.

All entering graduate students are now expected to complete all immunization and tuberculosis testing prior to entry into their health sciences school/program. The administrative and clinical service costs of the HSIP are supported by an annual HEALTH FEE of approximately $110 to $135 (2012-2013 school year) that is attached to every Seattle Campus student’s account beginning with entry into their HS school/program. The fee recurs on the student’s account each year as long as they remain in the graduate program.

How does it work?

Students need to complete and have documentation of all Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended Health Care Personnel (HCP) immunizations including:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
• Hepatitis B
• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
• Varicella (whooping cough)
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Influenza

and annual testing for tuberculosis (PPD or IGRA).

See HSI website for detailed requirements

The Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP) provides administrative review and tracking of students health care personnel requirement status and TB screening.

HSIP will:

1. review all submitted documentation for completeness
2. enter the information into a secure occupational web-based, password protected database
3. report each student's compliance status to their school/program
4. place a hold on the registration of any student who has not met the requirements

HSIP provides the following services:

• annual PPD skin tests for tuberculosis (at a time and place to be scheduled)
• annual influenza vaccines
• counseling for positive PPD skin tests

See HSI website for Heatlh Services Immunization Program details

How do I submit documentation?

Entering students must submit an online form along with copies of supporting documents (such as lab reports of titer results) to myshots@uw.edu . All required documentation is to be received by HSIP at least two months prior to the first day of classes.

If you have records of immunization at another facility, such as UWMC, Hall Health, or a hospital employee health clinic, it is your responsibility to obtain a copy of those records, scan and submit with the form, which must be signed by a health professional. Please do not submit immunization related documents to the Nutritional Sciences Program. NSP staff and faculty are not allowed to process or handle this personal health information.

Health Insurance

The University of Washington strongly recommends that you purchase health insurance coverage as becoming ill during your academic career can be very expensive.International students are required to purchase student health insurance, which can be waived for a student with an appointment paid through the University of Washington, include a 20 hour/week RA/TA/SA position, $800/month or more pre-doctoral fellowship or a post-doctoral fellowship.

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Health Sciences Immunization Policy Glossary

Please consult the descriptions below in order to facilitate your understanding of terminology related to the Health Sciences immunization and screening requirements.

• University of Washington Health Sciences Center (HSC):
  Also referred to as the “Health Sciences building,” the HSC houses the university’s health professions schools (Public Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Medicine) and the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC). All Health Sciences students must be in compliance with specific immunization and screening requirements.


• School of Public Health (SPH):
  A Health Sciences school whose mission is to “promote population health, prevent illness, disability, and injury, and ensure efficient, effective, and equitable health care systems through education, research, and service.”


• Department of Health Services (DHS):
  A department within the School of Public Health that “prepares future health practitioners, managers, and researchers to conduct the unfinished work of improving the well-being of communities in the United States and throughout the world.”


• Campus Health Services (CHS):
  Not to be confused with the Department of Health Services, CHS’ programs and centers assist with the delivery of public health and occupational health services (e.g. immunization and screening tracking) to UW students and personnel.


• Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP):
  One of CHS’ programs that provides tuberculosis screening, administrative review of students’ immunization records, and tracking of students’ immunization and screening compliance.


• MMR:
  This acronym commonly refers to a combination vaccine that protects against the measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. The vaccine is normally administered in two doses during childhood.


• Hepatitis B vaccine:
  The vaccine against the Hepatitis B virus is administered in a three-part series and can be administered in children or adults. The second and third doses are given one and six months after the first dose, respectively.


• Tetanus-diptheria-pertussis vaccine:
  The vaccines against these bacterial diseases can be administered in a number of different combinations, depending on one’s age and residence. When given as a childhood vaccination, a combination vaccine is normally administered in five doses. Appropriate adjustments are made for adult vaccination. A booster shot after June 2005 is required in most cases.
  
  
• Varicella vaccine:
  This two dose vaccine protects against the Varicella Zoster Virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles. The vaccine is recommended for all children under the age of 13 and all those over age 13 who have never contracted chickenpox. In adults over the age of 13, the two doses are administered approximately 4-8 weeks apart from each other.


• Tuberculosis (TB) screening:
  This is not an immunization. A TB screening is commonly performed as a skin test to determine exposure to the tuberculosis bacteria. The results must be read 48-72 hours after the initial injection.


• Antibody titer:
  Antibodies are generated by the body’s immune system in response to an infection (or in response to vaccination). For certain diseases, HSIP can use a positive antibody titer as proof of past exposure and sufficient immunity or can use the titer as a final step of confirming vaccine-derived immunity.

Ashlee Harty, Manager of Academic Affairs and Curriculum, School of Public Health

 

Updated April 4, 2013