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

Students at the Larner College of Medicine use the Association of American Medical College’s (AAMC) Standardized Immunization Form to document their related records. This form is founded on the CDC’s vaccination recommendations for healthcare workers and informed by extensive research with medical colleges who host visiting students.

The completed form and all supporting documentation should be uploaded 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 and rotation assignments are not adjusted based on immunization status.

Entering Medical Students

Students will not be permitted to start classes at the Larner College of Medicine without providing evidence of compliant immunization records. For the safety of patients and students alike, this policy is strictly enforced. Entering medical students are required to demonstrate evidence of having completed the following tests and immunizations by July 1 of their matriculation year:

COVID-19: All University of Vermont (UVM) students are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. One of the following is required:

One dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine (2023-2024 Formula dated after 09/12/2023), if previously vaccinated with any COVID-19 Vaccine, OR
Two updated Novavax vaccines - two doses given three weeks apart, if not previously vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Two doses of MMR vaccine or two doses of Measles, two doses of Mumps and one dose of Rubella; OR serologic proof of immunity for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis: One dose of adult Tdap. If last Tdap is greater than 10 years old, provide date of last Td and Tdap.
Tuberculosis Screening: All U.S. healthcare personnel are screened pre-placement for TB. Two kinds of tests are used to determine if a person has been infected with TB bacteria: the TB skin test (TST) and the TB blood test (IGRA). Results of last two step TSTs (PPDs) or one IGRA blood test are required regardless of prior BCG status. One of the following completed within the past 12 months is required:

Two-step TB skin test, OR
One Blood Test (IGRA) either QuantiFERON Gold or T-Spot within three months of the deadline for incoming students.

Tuberculosis Screening policy

Varicella (Chicken Pox): Two doses of vaccine or positive serology.
Hepatitis B Vaccination: Both of the following are required

Three-dose vaccination series (Energix-B, PreHevbrio, Recombivax HB or Twinrix) OR two-dose vaccination series (Heplisav-B) AND
Positive Quantitative surface antibody titer (lab report required) drawn 4-8 weeks after last vaccine dose. A test titer >10mIU/mL is positive for immunity.

If the test result is negative, CDC guidance: one or more additional doses of Hepatitis B vaccine up to completion of a second series, followed by a repeat titer test 4-8 weeks after the last vaccine dose. If a single additional vaccine dose does not elicit a positive test result, administer additional vaccine doses to complete the second series using the schedule approved for the primary series of a given product. If the Hepatitis B Surface Antibody test is negative (<10 mlU/mL) after receipt of 2 complete vaccine series, a “non-responder” status is assigned. Please review the CDC Recommendations for more information. Documentation of Chronic Active Hepatitis B is for rotation assignments and counseling purposes only.

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 8 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 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. Your enrollment in Castle Branch 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.