67010 - Medical Student Handbook | College of Medicine

Immunizations and Other Health Information

Policy 670.10

Policy Statement

All medical students are expected to maintain a compliant immunization status from matriculation through graduation by having completed all tests and immunizations required by the institution and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Policy Elaboration

The Larner College of Medicine immunization requirements are listed on the Association of American Medical College’s (AAMC) Standardized Immunization Form.

The Larner College of Medicine (LCOM) uses CastleBranch, an independent contractor, to securely monitor verification of each requirement. Accepted students must upload proof of immunization status to CastleBranch. CastleBranch will review submitted records to determine the compliance status for medical students and will maintain all health-related records.

Students are responsible for the cost of any necessary testing or immunizations not covered by their health insurance. Documentation of the students’ immunizations, antibody status and tuberculosis testing status will be provided to the appropriate offices at affiliated hospitals where clinical education is conducted. Some UVM clinical training sites may require additional immunizations. Rotation assignments are not adjusted based on immunization status.

Entering Medical Students

Students will not be permitted to start classes at LCOM without providing evidence of compliant immunization records. For the safety of our patients and community, this policy is strictly enforced. Entering medical students are required to demonstrate evidence of having completed the following immunizations and Tuberculosis testing per AAMC form-specifications by July 1 of their matriculation year:

COVID-19
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis
Tuberculosis Screening
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B Exception

Students will be allowed to enter clinical settings prior to completion of their 16-week (the minimum requirement is 16 weeks between dose #1 and dose #3, and eight weeks between dose #2 and dose #3) hepatitis B series only if documentation has been provided demonstrating that they are in the process of completing the requirements. The expectation is this will be addressed as soon as possible. Failure to meet deadlines and obligations as outlined in an approved exception plan is a violation of professional expectations and will result in an ‘out of compliance’ immunization status and may necessitate removal from the curriculum. Students who are repeatedly notified that they are ‘out of compliance’ will be referred to the Fitness Committee for professionalism concerns.

Active Medical Students (Post-Matriculation)

After matriculation all medical students are expected to maintain a compliant immunization status. This includes documenting evidence of having completed the following tests and immunizations:

COVID-19: UVM Health Network, in accordance with CMS requirements, requires medical students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition to providing on-site services on UVM Health Network premises. Fully vaccinated means that students have received both doses of the Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the J&J/Janssen vaccine At this time, boosters are recommended but not required.
Influenza Vaccine: One dose annually each fall is required. The University of Vermont will provide a flu shot clinic at an appropriate time. Students not immunized at the clinic must seek flu vaccine from their primary health care clinicians, local healthcare network, Student Health Services or other community resources.
N95 Mask Fitting: All students will be scheduled, prior to clinical assignments, for training and fit testing with N95 respirators to be used when caring for patients with known or suspected illness requiring airborne precautions.
Tuberculosis Screening: When providing documentation for clinical away rotations, please note that if skin test or IGRA results expire during proposed elective rotation dates, they must be updated with the receiving institution. TB screening is typically required within three months prior to the rotation. Please review the Tuberculosis Screening policy for more information.

UVM recommends that students keep a copy of their completed AAMC Standardized Immunization Form and associated paperwork for their personal records. Enrollment in CastleBranch is a lifelong membership and provides a repository for an unlimited number of documents, accessible whenever needed. These may be needed for Doctoring in Vermont placements and/or for away rotations. Note: If a student is planning international travel for credit, they must be seen in a travel clinic to discuss their travel plans and associated health risks.