Immunization Requirements
Lander University follows the CDC’s and the American College Health Association’s recommendations regarding immunizations for college students. All students, parents, and guardians are encouraged to learn more about serious communicable diseases and to make informed decisions regarding protection.
Immunization requirements must be met and on file at Student Health Services before a student registers for classes. In order to avoid disruption of the registration process, students should have all of their immunization requirements and their health services forms sent to the Wellness Center prior to their orientation date. A copy of the health services form can be downloaded at Lander University's Wellness, Immunization page.
Required Immunizations
• Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
• Meningococcal ACYW vaccine
• TDAP (administered within the last 10 years)
**INFORMATION REGARDING MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE**
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that college students be educated about the benefits of vaccination against meningitis (a potentially fatal bacterial infection) and Hepatitis B. The recommendation is based on recent studies showing that college students, particularly freshmen in residence halls, have a six-fold increased risk for meningitis and an increased risk of Hepatitis B. In addition, the State of South Carolina requires higher education institutions to inform students and parents about the risk of contracting these diseases and the availability of preventive vaccines. The University now recommends all incoming students aged 24 and under to be immunized against Meningococcal Disease. The vaccination is available at physicians’ offices, local health departments, and pharmacies. Meningococcal Disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection. Adolescents, as well as young adults, have an increased incidence of Meningococcal Disease, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all U.S. cases. One out of four case among adolescents results in death. The majority of Meningococcal Disease cases among adolescents and young adults are potentially vaccine preventable. Lifestyle factors common among adolescents and young adults seem to be linked to the disease. These include crowded living situations such as residence halls, going to bars, smoking, sharing personal items, and irregular sleep habits. When meningitis strikes, its flu-like symptoms make it difficult to diagnose. Transmission of the disease occurs from person to person through respiratory or oral secretions. Lander University and the American College Health Association highly recommend that students be educated and that they consider being vaccinated against this disease.
Recommended Immunizations
• Gardasil* (for females age 11 to 26 for bivalent and quadrivalent vaccine and males 9 to 26 for quadrivalent vaccine)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Meningococcal B vaccine
Immunization Exceptions
Students may be exempt from the above immunizations on grounds of permanent medical contraindication or conflicting religious beliefs, with the submission of completed paperwork from their physician or clergy. The immunization religious and medical exemption forms can be found on the Lander University’s Wellness webpage.
• Religious Exemption Form
• Medical Exemption Form
Meningococcal Declination
The Meningococcal-ACWY (MCV4) vaccine can be declined by students who are 25 or older. The declination form can be found on the Lander University’s Wellness, Immunization Forms webpage.
Additional Immunization Requirement for International Students
Beginning in Fall 2017, students from a high-risk group* will be required to have their Tuberculosis testing completed in Student Health Services once they are in the United States. This blood test rules out active TB and involves a nominal fee.
*Categories of high-risk students include those students who have arrived within the past 5 years from countries where TB is endemic. It is easier to identify countries of low rather than high TB prevalence. Therefore, students should undergo TB screening if they have arrived from countries EXCEPT those on the following list: Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Oman, Poland, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Saint Maarten (Dutch part), Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, U.S. Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna Islands, West Bank and Gaza Strip. (Source: World Health Organization Global Health Observatory, Tuberculosis Incidence 2015) Information on the test can be found here: http://www.quantiferon.com/irm/content/quantiferon-tb-gold1.aspx?RID=300
Students will not be allowed to preregister or register without filing a completed immunization form with the Health Services Office. Questions regarding this policy may be directed to the Health Services Office (864) 388-8885 or fax (864) 388-8456. This link can be used to download the TB screening form, which must be completed by all international students.