Immunization Requirements
All vaccination requirements beyond those listed by LUCOM and required by the clinical rotation sites, are the responsibility of the student to either receive and/or apply (through the site) for exemption. Documentation of all vaccination information must be on file with LUCOM Student Health prior to participation in any patient contact.
LUCOM requires the following laboratory tests and immunizations:
- Annual Tuberculosis (TB) test
- Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus
- Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- Polio (OPV/IPV)
- Varicella
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) immunization and titers
- Influenza
Detailed laboratory test and immunization requirements can be found below.
Failure to comply is a violation of school policy and affects the student’s ability to provide patient care during the flu season, thus putting the completion of the educational curriculum in jeopardy. Students who are non-compliant will be referred to the appropriate clinical dean.
Medical exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the current CDC guidelines. Students must provide documentation from a licensed medical provider (MD, DO, NP, or PA) on letterhead stating the reason for exemption. After review, a determination will be made as to whether an exemption will be granted.
It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with and comply with all policies at their designated clinical site. If recommendations by the clinical dean are not observed, the student will be referred to the Office of the Dean.
TB Skin Test
Prior to matriculating, applicants must complete TB testing as specified by LUCOM after January 1st in the calendar year of matriculation.
Annual TB testing is required for all enrolled students at LUCOM.
Students with a history of positive TB test will be required to submit the results of an annual chest x-ray and questionnaire which documents absence of active disease. The student may be required to be seen by his/her provider after review of questionnaire.
Students with a new positive TB test or those with a positive chest x-ray must follow up immediately with a licensed medical provider (MD, DO, NP, PA) or the local health department. Documentation of follow up and treatment by provider must be provided and will be reviewed for continued enrollment.
A history of immunization with the BCG vaccine as a child or adult does not remove the above requirements for TB screening and appropriate follow up.
Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus Toxoid
The student must submit written documentation of completion of the initial immunization series with DTP or TDaP.
Proof of one adult Tdap and subsequent Td or Tdap every 10 years, per CDC
The date of each immunization is required to be documented.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
The student must have written documentation of receiving two (2) Rubeola, Rubella and Mumps vaccines as individual or combination vaccines.
The date of each immunization is required to be documented.
The student must have titers that demonstrate immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella or immunization boosters may be required.
Students with prior documentation of immune status may submit that documentation in place of new titers.
Polio (OPV/IPV)
The student must have written documentation of receiving an initial series of three (3) IPV or OPV immunizations plus at least one booster immunization.
The date of each immunization is required to be documented.
Varicella
The student must have written documentation of receiving two (2) Varicella immunizations.
The date of each immunization is required to be documented.
The student must have titers that demonstrates immunity to Varicella.
Students with prior documentation of immune status may submit that documentation in place of new titers.
Hepatitis B
The student must have written documentation of receiving three (3) hepatitis B injections.
The date of each immunization is required to be documented.
The student must have documentation of laboratory titers that demonstrates immunity to hepatitis B.
Students with prior documentation of immune status may submit that documentation in place of new titers.
Students who have received the initial series of Hepatitis B vaccine and do not seroconvert to demonstrate immunity will be required to repeat the complete series of three immunizations.
If a student does not seroconvert and demonstrate immunity eight weeks after completion of a second series of immunizations, they will be considered at risk for acquiring HBV. The student will meet with the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Current recommendations and additional education on universal precautions, risk avoidance, and treatment options if exposed to HBV will be provided to the student. The student will sign documentation of informed consent to continue his/her education, acknowledging the medical risk and receipt of this information, but they will not be required to continue additional HBV immunizations.
Influenza
The flu vaccine is mandatory for all LUCOM students. Proof of vaccination must be given to the office of the Director of Health Records (LUCOMstudenthealth@liberty.edu) by October 31st (or earlier as designated by clinical site) annually while enrolled.
Optional Immunizations
The following vaccines are considered optional. LUCOM advises all students to discuss the appropriateness of each of the following vaccinations with their primary care physician, taking into account their personal medical history, risk factors for contracting these diseases and potential for international travel.
- Meningococcal (Hib)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Typhoid Fever
- Yellow Fever
- Hepatitis A