The health and safety of the university community is a priority at UC. We make every effort to ensure that the university is proactive at enhancing the health and well-being of our community. While the immunization requirement alone is unable to stop outbreaks, medical evidence shows that higher levels of immunization among a population leads to greater protection and less severe symptoms should an outbreak occur.

The immunization requirements for UC are based on recommendations from:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• American College Health Association (ACHA)
• Ohio Department of Health (ODH)
• Cincinnati Health Department
• UC Department of Family and Community Medicine

All incoming undergraduate, graduate and professional students attending main campus, UC Blue Ash, and UC Clermont must comply with this policy. 

• Health Sciences Programs
• General Population Students
• International Students

Immunizations will not be required at this time for the following, however you may choose to participate:

Distance Learners

• Immunizations will not be required at this time. (unless enrolled in the College of Allied Health Sciences Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Distance Learning Program)
• UHS advises all students to be up-to-date on vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices [ACIP]. 

Required Immunizations

Required immunizations for all incoming general population undergraduate, graduate and professional students attending main campus (East and/or West campus), UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont:

• Hepatitis B: 3 Hepatitis B vaccine doses or 2 Heplisav-B doses OR Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBSAB) titer*
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 vaccine doses OR MMR titer*
• Meningitis A (Meningococcal Quadrivalent): One dose if you are 16 to 21 years of age. Dose must be given on/after 16th birthday.
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis): One dose given within the past 10 years.
• Varicella: 2 vaccine doses OR Varicella antibody (VZVIgG) titer*

* A titer is a laboratory test that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in blood. A titer may be used to prove immunity to disease.

Recommended Immunizations

• COVID-19
• Hepatitis A
• Human papilloma virus (HPV)
• Influenza - each fall
• Meningitis B
• Polio

*The university immunization submission platform is changing.*

• Effective September 18, 2023 through October 15, MedProctor will not be available for students to upload immunization submissions.
  • If you have complete immunization records, upload them to MedProctor before September 18 to satisfy the university requirement.
  • If you need more time to get your required immunizations, you will need to wait until October 16 to upload a fully completed immunization form (General Population form; Health Sciences form) to the Bearcats Health App.
• Starting October 16, all students will use the Bearcats Health App to submit immunization documents.
• Due to this platform transition, the immunization deadline has been extended to November 1, 2023. 

*The university immunization submission platform is changing.*

• Effective September 18, 2023 through October 15, MedProctor will not be available for students to upload immunization submissions.
  • If you have complete immunization records, upload them to MedProctor before September 18 to satisfy the university requirement.
  • If you need more time to get your required immunizations, you will need to wait until October 16 to upload a fully completed immunization form (General Population form; Health Sciences form) to the Bearcats Health App.
• Starting October 16, all students will use the Bearcats Health App to submit immunization documents.
• Due to this platform transition, the immunization deadline has been extended to November 1, 2023.

______________________________________________________________________

Students entering Fall 2023 have until November 1, 2023 to upload immunization forms.

• Good health for you.
• Good health for your family, friends, and community members who could be at risk for being exposed to an infectious agent by you.
• Economic benefits from not having to miss class or work.
• Eligibility to enroll in UC classes.

• Students who are not immunized are at risk for developing the communicable disease in the event of an outbreak.
• Students who have not shown proof of immunization may be asked to leave campus and not attend classes in the event of an outbreak (until the outbreak is over).
• The immunization requirement will remain on your Catalyst dashboard until you have completed your immunization requirements.

Immunization Forms

• General Population, ELS, International Immunization Requirements Form
• Health Professions Programs Immunization Requirements Form

General Population Exemption Forms

• General (Non-Medical) Exemption Form (Upload this form to Bearcats Health App if you wish to request an exemption)
• Medical Exemption Form (Upload this form to Bearcats Health App if you wish to request an exemption)

Health Sciences Exemption Form

• Exemption Form *this form is for Health Sciences programs only. If you have questions, please contact Alex Maus (alex.maus@uchealth.com) or Deana Brown (deana.brown@uchealth.com).

I'm not sure if the requirement applies to me, how can I determine if I should submit my immunization documentation?

All students except those in a designated "Distance Learning" program are required to submit immunization documentation. However, ALL Health Sciences students must meet the immunization requirements, even if in a Distance Learning program. 

I am an international student.  Does this requirement apply to me?

• Yes, all incoming international students are subject to immunization and health screening requirements.  
• For details go to International Vaccination Information. 

I will be a new student living off-campus. Will I still need to meet the immunization requirements?

Yes, you will be required to have the same vaccinations as all new students.   

I am at UC Blue Ash or UC Clermont.  Does this requirement apply to me?

All incoming UC Blue Ash students and all incoming UC Clermont students must comply with this policy and will be required to submit immunization records to the Bearcats Health App.

How do you define “incoming”?

An incoming student is any degree-seeking student who is newly enrolled in a major/program and attending the University of Cincinnati campus, UC Blue Ash campus or UC Clermont campus. Some examples may include changing major/programs, newly enrolled graduate programs even if you were on campus as an undergraduate or transferring to main campus.

How/why did you choose these particular vaccines?

• University health officials reviewed national guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association and consulted with medical and public health experts. 
• The UC immunization requirement is consistent with those vaccines already required by the State of Ohio for Grades K-12 students.   

Are there any exemptions/exceptions to this requirement?

UC’s non-Health science students may apply for a vaccine exemption if their provider determines that an immunization would be detrimental to their health. A note from a medical provider is required to apply. Non-Medical exemptions require a Notary Public to notarize.  Detailed instructions are available on the secure Bearcats Health App portal. 

Can a non-Health Science student or Faculty that is studying or working in an outside facility that requires Covid vaccination submit a vaccine exemption request through the Bearcats Health App? 

If the outside facility has its own Covid vaccine exemption process, a non-Health Science student or Faculty member MUST submit a Covid exemption request through that system. If the facility does not have its own Covid vaccine exemption process, you may submit a request through the Bearcats Health App. 

What happens if I can’t find my immunization records?

• First check with your current physician or health care provider for your immunization records.  
• Next check with your parents/guardians. 
• Call your high school to see if they have a record of your immunizations. 
• If you are still unable to locate your records, there are several options to consider including having blood tests to verify immunity or receiving an age-appropriate primary series or booster dose. You should discuss your specific circumstances with a health care provider. 

Can I get the required immunizations at UC?

Yes, all the vaccines and tuberculosis testing are available at University Health Services. University Health Services accepts most private insurance, in addition to the campus Student Health Insurance Plan. 

Are these immunizations covered by insurance?

Since these vaccinations are considered preventive care, all should be covered by your health insurance plan if it is Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant. The University-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan covers these vaccinations.  Please contact your private health insurance plan for questions regarding your benefits and coverage. 

Do Housing students have additional vaccination requirements?

No, all non-health science students have the same Immunization requirements. However, an institution of higher education shall not permit a student to reside in on-campus housing unless the student (or the student’s parent if the student is younger than 18 years of age) discloses whether the student has been vaccinated against meningococcal disease and hepatitis B by submitting a meningitis and hepatitis B vaccination status statement. Reference.

Where can I find out more information?

• About the vaccines: please refer to the CDC website 
• About tuberculosis: please refer to the CDC webpage on tuberculosis