Vaccine Requirements for College Students

There are no federal vaccine requirements, but each state has its own vaccine requirements for children entering public schools and those entering college. For college students, some vaccine requirements are catch-up doses that should have been administered at a younger age. In some states there are ways to avoid required vaccinations for religious or personal reasons.

Meningococcal vaccine

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all freshmen living in dormitories receive the meningococcal vaccine. This vaccine prevents one of the most common types of meningitis. Meningitis is an infection that begins around the brain and spinal cord and that causes seizures.

Human papillomavirus

• Another recommended vaccine for college students is one for the human papillomavirus. This new vaccine protects against 70 percent of cervical cancer. It also protects against 90 percent of the varieties of the human papolloma virus that can cause genital warts.

Measles, mumps, rubella

• All college students in some states are required to get at least two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. In most cases, this vaccine should be started when a child enters day care or kindergarten.

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis

• In some states, all college students are required to get the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine before entering some state schools. This vaccine protects against diphtheria, which can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure or death. It also prevents tetanus, or lockjaw, which causes a tightening of the muscles. Lastly, it protects against pertussis, or whooping cough, which can lead to death.

Hepatitis B

• Most states do not require a hepatitis vaccine, but some, such as Virginia or South Carolina, recommend that college students receive a hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver that causes inflammation. Hepatitis B causes vomiting, jaundice and sometimes death. It can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.