Immunization Requirements

All Full-time Students (undergraduate students taking 12 credits or more and graduate students taking 9 credits or more)
must provide proof of:

  • 1 dose of tetanus diphtheria vaccine (TD or Tdap) within the last 10 years
  • 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine*
  • 2 doses of MMR vaccine* (or 1 dose of MMR if born before 1957)
  • 2 doses of Varicella

Newly entering Residential Students

  •   1 dose of meningitis vaccine (within 5 years)

Students must present a certificate of meningitis immunization within the last 5 years OR a signed waiver declining immunization at this time.

A student, or the student's parent or guardian, if the student is a minor, may opt to sign a waiver which details that the student has received and reviewed information about the risks and dangers of meningococcal disease, has elected to decline the vaccine. Such a waiver must also be submitted at least two weeks prior to the beginning of classes. Residential students, who have not submitted meningitis status, will be denied their room key!  For students unable to obtain the vaccine prior to entry, it is suggested that they sign the meningitis waiver, for now, to satisfy the law, and arrange for immunization as soon as possible.

Bridgewater State University recommends meningitis immunization for all students (even though all students are not required by law to receive it).

All full-time students (including full-time graduate students) must submit a completed student health history and immunization report form to Health Services. Massachusetts immunization laws apply to full-time students of all ages. Proof of immunization must be provided by a physician or a prior school and must include the dates (month and year) of: one dose of tetanus/diphtheria (Td) within the last 10 years, and three doses of hepatitis B, two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) after the patient's first birthday and after 1957, two doses of varicella, Serologic proof of immunity will be acceptable (though often costly). Immunization requirements apply as well to International Students attending or visiting classes as part of our academic exchange program.

* Serological proof of immunity is an alternate way to prove immunity. Serological tests must be done by your primary care physician and requires blood to be drawn, sent out and analyzed, usually taking at least 2 weeks for results. Serological tests can be costly, may not be covered by insurance and often come back negative (which means no immunity). Students with negative serologies must be immunized and provide documentation of the immunization(s).

BSU Health Services offers TD, MMR and Hepatitis B immunizations , Monday - Friday, 9:30-11:30am and 1:30 - 3:30pm.  Clinical Services begin mid August 18th, and end in mid June.  BSU Health Services is closed between Christmas and New Year's day.  Full service is available during the academic calendar.  Summer hours are for administrative services only (no clinicians are scheduled).

Last Modified: May 11, 2011