All Saint Louis University admitted students are required to submit proof of required immunizations and screenings to SLU's Student Health Center using the online vaccination portal.
Updated information may be required from current students to keep their records up to date while they are on campus.
Deadlines for Submission to the Portal
- Fall enrollment: Aug. 1
- Spring enrollment: Jan. 1
- Summer enrollment: May 1
If we receive a partial immunization record or one of the required immunizations is outdated, we will send a notification to your SLU email address.
A registration hold will be placed on your account if we do not receive your complete immunization records showing you are up to date on all requirements. The hold will be released once we have documentation that you have met immunization and screening requirements.
What Is Required For Compliance?
Most of the vaccines required by SLU are vaccines you probably received as part of your routine childhood immunizations. Contacting your primary care physician, looking in an electronic medical record (for example MyChart), or through baby books or family files are all strategies for locating your childhood records.
If you are having trouble locating your records, contact Student Health and they can help you.
The vaccine portal can be found through your MySLU or by navigating to vaccination.slu.edu.
The instructions page in the vaccine portal is a great resource. Be sure to read the instructions completely before moving forward in the portal.
Enter and submit the required vaccines on the required vaccines page in the vaccination portal.
Upload a PDF copy of your vaccine records in the vaccination portal by selecting “Upload Files” at the bottom of the required vaccines page.
- A physical record of past vaccines is preferred but not required for compliance but can aid Student Health’s review of your records.
You may be required to complete further tuberculosis screening depending on the results of your questionnaire.
- If you require further screening, please contact Student Health (314-977-2323) or your primary provider to schedule the appropriate tuberculosis test.
Be sure to attest to the accuracy of your records and complete your submission with your signature and the date on the last page of the portal.
If there are any issues with your records after submitting, feel free to go back and edit. Your records will be visible and available to you in the Vaccine Portal throughout your entire time at SLU. Feel free to come back to the Vaccine Portal to update records, or retrieve information for any clinical or community placements during your time at the University.
Required Screenings and Immunizations
SLU requires the following screenings and immunizations unless you have an approved vaccine exemption or meet alternate qualifying criteria. Read below for more details.
Use the vaccination portal to upload your proof of vaccination or request an approved vaccination exemption.
You can obtain required vaccinations or screenings at the Student Health Center. Email
shc@health.slu.edu or call 314-977-2323 to schedule an appointment.
Tuberculosis Screening
All students engaged in coursework on SLU’s St. Louis campuses are required to complete the Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire found in the Vaccination Portal. The questionnaire will indicate if further testing is necessary to complete the tuberculosis screening requirement.
A completed Tuberculosis Questionnaire is required for all students. Tuberculosis screening is required for:
- International students born in a country with a high incidence of tuberculosis.
- Students with a history of living or traveling for more than two months in areas with a high incidence of tuberculosis disease.
- Students with signs or symptoms of active tuberculosis, a positive tuberculosis skin test or close contact with a person known to have active tuberculosis.
- Students who have worked in nursing homes, hospitals or other residential institutions.
Get More Information About the Tuberculin Test from the CDC
Get More Information About the Tuberculin Test from the ACHA
Meningitis Requirement for Students Living on Campus
If you will be living on campus, you are required to complete the meningococcal quadrivalent vaccination series and submit proof of vaccination via the online vaccination portal linked above.
If you are unable to receive the meningitis vaccination, the portal will provide an option to fill out a waiver indicating that you have reviewed the risks and information and have made the decision not to have the vaccination.
Vaccination Schedule
- Initial dose of conjugate vaccine: 11-12 yrs of age
- Booster dose: 16 yrs of age
- Initial dose given age 13-15 yrs: booster dose at 16-18 yrs of age
- Initial dose given age ≥16 yrs, no booster dose required
There are two types of meningococcal vaccine, meningococcal ACWY vaccine (MenACWY) which includes Menactra and Menveo, and serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB) which includes Bexsero and Trumenba. The CDC recommends the MenACWY vaccine for first-year college students living in residence halls. This is the vaccine we require. We offer the MenACWY and MenB vaccines at Student Health and recommend speaking with your physician about both vaccines before coming to SLU.
Per Missouri state law, the MenACWY vaccine should be given not more than five years prior to enrollment. If the initial meningitis series was given prior to age 16, a booster dose should be given.
Who Should Be Vaccinated?
Adolescents 11-18 years of age and other populations at increased risk, including college students living in residence halls/similar housing, etc., persons with persistent complement deficiencies or asplenia, laboratory personnel with exposure to aerosolized meningococci, and travelers to hyperendemic or endemic areas of the world. Non-freshmen college students may choose to be vaccinated to reduce their risk of meningococcal disease.
Get More Information About the MenACWY Vaccine from the CDC
Get More Information About the MenACWY Vaccine from the ACHA
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
All students engaged in coursework on SLU’s campus are required to submit records of up-to-date tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccination. In order to be considered compliant, students must have received a booster dose within the past 10 years. If your booster dose becomes outdated during your time at SLU, we will contact you about getting an updated booster dose at the Student Health Center or another healthcare provider.
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TDaP is a vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Other similar vaccines that cover some or all of these diseases include DT (diphtheria and tetanus), Td (tetanus only), and Dtap (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine for children). Typically, TDaP is given as booster doses after the primary series is completed during childhood. A booster dose of tetanus vaccine is usually given every ten years and sometimes sooner.
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All students are required to have had a TDaP dose within the past ten (10) years. TDaP immunization is recommended for employees.
Vaccination Schedule
Primary series in childhood (4 doses: DT, DTaP, DTP, or Td)
Booster doses: For adolescents 11–18 and adults 19–64: single dose of Tdap. Tdap can be administered regardless of interval since the last tetanus or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
Routine booster dose intervals: Adults should receive Td boosters at 10-year intervals, beginning 10 years after receiving Tdap.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella
All students engaged in coursework on SLU’s campus are required to submit records of complete measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination. If you do not have proof of MMR vaccination, titers can be used in place of proof of vaccination to fulfill the vaccination requirement.
- MMR is a vaccine series that protects against the diseases measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (German measles). Each of these diseases cause fevers and other flu-like symptoms. In addition, measles and rubella have trademark rashes, while mumps causes swollen and tender salivary glands. Each disease is very contagious and can spread easily between those living in close quarters.
- SLU requires documentation of two (2) doses of MMR (or MMRV) OR laboratory evidence of immunity (i.e., a titer) for all students. MMR immunization is recommended for employees.
Vaccination Schedule
Two doses of MMR at least 28 days apart after 12 months of age.
Who Should Be Vaccinated?
- All college students born after 1956 without lab evidence of disease.
- All health care professional students without other evidence of immunity should receive two doses of MMR.
- Those born before 1957 without other evidence of immunity should receive one dose if not in an outbreak setting and two doses if in an outbreak.
More Information About the MMR Vaccine from the CDC
More Information About the MMR Vaccine from the ACHA
Varicella
All students engaged in coursework on SLU’s campus are required to submit records of complete Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccination. If you do not have proof of Varicella vaccination, titers can be used in place of proof of vaccination to fulfill the vaccination requirement.
If you have been diagnosed with chickenpox and do not have proof of a completed Varicella vaccine series, a document from your physician detailing your past diagnoses may fulfill the vaccination requirement if accompanied by laboratory evidence of immunity (i.e., a titer).
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Varicella, also known as chickenpox, is typically a mild disease in children known for its itchy “pox” rash. Chickenpox passes easily from person to person and it is best to be vaccinated to prevent infection.
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For all students born after 1980, SLU requires two (2) doses of varicella-containing vaccine separated by at least one month OR laboratory evidence of immunity due to history of disease or immunization (i.e., a titer).
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Varicella vaccines can also be given in combination with MMR (in a vaccine called MMRV), which is acceptable for compliance for both MMR and Varicella vaccine types. Varicella immunization is recommended for employees.
Vaccination Schedule
- Two doses of varicella-containing vaccine at least 12 weeks apart if vaccinated between 1 and 12 years of age and at least
- Four weeks apart if vaccinated at age 13 years or older.
More Information About the Varicella Vaccine from the CDC
More Information About Varicella from the ACHA
How to Schedule an Appointment at Student Health
If you need one or more of the above requirements, Student Health is able to provide vaccines and screenings to students year-round.
To schedule an appointment with Student Health, simply:
- Call 314-977-2323 and Press “1”
Or
- Email shc@health.slu.edu with information on what services you need assistance with
If you have travel requirements and vaccines necessary for studying abroad or other international programming, you must schedule a travel physical with a student health provider.
- All travel vaccines can be ordered by our physician after a travel physical (i.e. yellow fever, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, etc.)
Recommended Immunizations
SLU does not require the following immunizations, but we encourage you to obtain these vaccinations to protect your own health and the well-being of our campus community. Note that some sites at which students complete clinicals may require a number of these immunizations. Read below for more details.
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The influenza vaccine is administered yearly to protect against the flu. The flu is highly infectious and can cause severe illness or death to those who are older, have underlying health conditions, or are immunocompromised. Vaccination protects you as well as those around you. Individuals should get vaccinated each Fall when the new vaccine is released.
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SLU does not require the flu vaccine for all students, but many programs, institutions, and volunteer sites may require the vaccine. Students and employees in certain health professions programs at SLU may be required to be vaccinated prior to their clinical assignments. The flu vaccine is highly recommended for everyone at SLU. Talk with Student Health to see if this vaccine is right for you.
Get More Information About the Influenza Vaccine from the CDC
- The COVID-19 vaccine is currently not required at SLU. This vaccine is highly effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 infection.
- There are currently four COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the US, produced by the following manufacturers: Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen (J & J), and Novavax. You must follow the specific timing and dose requirements for each unique manufacturer/vaccine.
Get More Information About the COVID-19 Vaccine from the CDC
- The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the only vaccination that protects against certain types of cancer. Currently the vaccine is recommended for everyone through 26 years of age, but may be given to those aged 27-45 if recommended by their healthcare provider. The standard HPV series is two (2) or three (3) doses depending on age at the time of vaccination. The doses are generally spread out over the course of a year.
- HPV vaccine is highly protective against the human papilloma virus strains contained in the vaccine. While the most common protection is for cervical cancer, there are other preventable cancers covered by this vaccine and therefore should be administered to everyone, no matter their gender identity.
- HPV is currently not required for students or employees. HPV immunization is highly recommended. Talk with Student Health to see if this vaccine is right for you.
- Serogroup B Meningococcal (MenB) vaccination can help prevent meningococcal disease. There are several types of bacteria that causes meningococcal disease, and the MenB vaccine offers protection against a serogroup that is not included in the meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine required by SLU.
- To be fully vaccinated against Meningitis B, you must receive three (3) doses. The CDC recommends that adolescents and young adults aged 12-23 be vaccinated with MenB, preferably at age 16-18 for protection during ages of increased risk.
- Meningitis B is currently not required for students or employees, but it is highly recommended that you speak with your healthcare provider about potential vaccination benefits.
Get More Information About the Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine from the CDC
- The Hepatitis A (Hep A) vaccine helps protect against Hepatitis A infection, a severe liver disease. Hep A is spread through close personal contact or consuming contaminated food or water. The complete vaccine series is two (2) doses, often administered in childhood
- SLU does not require the Hepatitis A vaccine for all students, but certain health professions students or employees may be required to get the vaccine prior to clinical assignments. Hepatitis A immunization is recommended for everyone at SLU.
Vaccination Schedule
- Given as a series of two doses (given at 0, 6–12 mo.) for age 12 months or greater.
- Combined hepatitis A and B vaccines may be given as a series of 3 doses (given at 0, 1-2, and 6-12 mo.) for 18 years of age and older.
Get More Information About the Hepatitis A Vaccine from the CDC
- The Hepatitis B vaccine protects against Hepatitis B, which can cause mild to severe liver disease. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with body fluids from an infected person. To be fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B, you must receive three (3) doses of vaccine.
- SLU does not require the Hepatitis A vaccine for all students, but certain health professions students or employees may be required to get the vaccine prior to clinical assignments.
Vaccination Schedule
Given as a series of three age-appropriate doses (given at 0, 1–2 mo., and 6–12 mo.) at any age. Adolescents ages 11–15 years can be given two adult doses (given at 0 and 4-6 mo.) Combined hepatitis A and B vaccines may be given as a series of three doses (given at 0, 1-2, and 6-12 mo.) for 18 years of age and older.
Get More Information About the Hepatitis B Vaccine from the CDC
- Poliovirus, which causes Polio, is fully preventable with this vaccine. Poliovirus can spread from person to person and can impact the spinal cord, potentially causing paralysis. A series of four (4) vaccines is given in childhood.
- SLU does not require the polio vaccine for all students; however, documentation of completed primary series may be required for health professions students and employees prior to their clinical assignments. Polio immunization is recommended for everyone at SLU.
Vaccination Schedule
Primary series in childhood with IPV alone, OPV alone, or IPV/OPV sequentially; IPV booster only if needed for travel after age 18 years.
Program-Specific Requirements
Some programs and student worker positions at SLU require additional vaccinations and screenings. Specific program requirements can be found in more detail on their respective program websites or by contacting your clinical/community placement coordinator or manager.
The following programs have known additional vaccination and/or screening requirements:
- Nursing
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Medical School
- Physician Assistant
Mask-Fit Tests
Students may be required to have a mask-fit test before starting work at a clinical site. Please call ahead to discuss your program requirements and schedule. Please fill out these fit test forms prior to your appointment.
Protected Health Information
Your privacy is of utmost importance. If you require that we send your medical records or disclose your medical information, please complete and return the Authorization to Release Patient Information (PDF). If you would like to release information from another provider to us, please complete and submit the Authorization to Obtain Patient Information (PDF).
Please note the above request for your records as a patient does not include any records you submitted to show proof of required immunizations and screenings to attend classes on campus.
Applicability, Documentation and Enforcement
- This policy applies to all domestic and international students entering the University for the first time, unless medical or religious exemptions pertain, or the student will be taking courses entirely online.
- Submission of this record, by the date specified, is mandatory. Failure to comply will result in registration being canceled and/or restricted. Exceptions may be made to extend the deadline for students working to meet requirements.
- The University also reserves the right to deny access to campus facilities, including residence halls, if documentation of compliance has not been provided. Further, in accordance with public health recommendations, non-immune students may be excluded from the university campus in the event of a measles, rubella, mumps or diphtheria outbreak or other public health recommendation.