Immunizations

 Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Requirements

The State of Tennessee requires that new full-time, first-time, readmitting and graduate students entering institutions of higher learning that were born on or after January 1, 1957, provide proof of adequate immunization against Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Adequate immunization is defined as:

1. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, administered at least 28 days apart and no earlier than 4 days before the first birthday; or
2. Laboratory evidence of immunity (titers) to all three of the diseases

A student will not be allowed to register for classes until proof of adequate immunization is provided.

Exemptions to the above requirement include:

1. Those students graduating from a Tennessee high school in 1998 or after
2. Online only students
3. Students with a medical contraindication to the vaccine verified by a healthcare provider.

If you cannot provide adequate proof of immunization for measles, mumps and rubella, you should take the first dose of the MMR vaccine immediately, as there is a 30-day waiting period required between immunizations.

The immunization(s) may be obtained from your physician, your local health department or local walk-in clinics. Once you have been admitted, you also can obtain the MMR vaccine from our APSU Boyd Health Services.

Varicella (Chickenpox) Requirements

The State of Tennessee requires that new full-time, first-time, readmitting and graduate students entering institutions of higher learning that were born on or after January 1, 1980, provide proof of adequate immunization against Varicella (Chickenpox). Adequate immunization is defined as:

1. Two doses of varicella-containing vaccine, administered at least 28 days apart; or
2. Laboratory evidence of immunity (titer); or
3. A history verified by a physician, advanced practice nurse, physician's assistant or public health nurse employed by a local health department, of varicella disease (chickenpox). Documentation of the past illness is not required to confirm a history of disease. 

A student will not be allowed to register for classes until proof of adequate immunization is provided.

Exemptions to the above requirement include:

1. Those students graduating from a Tennessee high school in 2016 or after
2. Online only students
3. Students with a medical contraindication to the vaccine verified by a healthcare provider.

If you cannot provide adequate immunization for Varicella, you should take the first dose of the Varicella vaccine immediately, as there is a 30-day waiting period required between immunizations.

The immunization(s) may be obtained from your physician, your local health department, or local walk-in clinics. Once you have been admitted, you also can obtain the Varicella immunization(s) from our APSU Boyd Health Services.

Hepatitis B Requirements

The General Assembly of the State of Tennessee mandates that each public or private postsecondary institution in the state provide information concerning hepatitis B infection to all students entering the institution for the first time. Tennessee law requires that such students complete and sign a waiver form provided by the institution. This form may be accessed at the time of registration via the Web. When you register for the first time on the Web, you will automatically be linked to the form where you will be prompted to electronically sign the waivers.

Students under 18 years of age will have to download the hepatitis/meningitis form for parental signature and turn it in to Boyd Health Services. Print and complete a hard copy of the form, have it signed by your parent (only for students under 18 years of age) and upload it to the APSU portal or return it to APSU Health Services.

Meningitis Requirements

If 21 years of age or under and residing in on-campus housing, a single dose of Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY/MCV4/Menactra/Menveo/MenQuadfi) is required and must have been administered within the past 5 years.

The Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (MenB/Bexero/Trumenba) are recommended but not required and will not be accepted in place of the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine requirement.  

Meningitis vaccines will be available in APSU Boyd Health Services during normal clinic hours. 

If the student has a religious tenet or practice that does not allow them to receive any of the above required vaccines, a religious exemption can be granted. The student must turn in a signed and notarized statement saying that the vaccine conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.

You can upload an official copy of your immunization record with proof of the necessary vaccines and dates or the Certificate of Immunization completed by your healthcare provider to the APSU portal.