Immunization Policy
Keuka College Immunization Policies (Including: Public Health Law, Section 2165 and Section 2167):
Keuka College Health Center intends to uphold and enforce the provisions of New York State Immunization requirements for post-secondary institutions for Public Health Law section 2165 and section 2167. As well as other vaccinations required by Keuka College.
NYS PHL section 2165 requires students attending post-secondary institutions who were born on or after January 1, 1957 and registered for 6 or more credit hours to provide verification of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Proof of this immunity may be provided by submitting records signed by a health care provider, or other acceptable certificate of immunization. Providing lab results showing immunity to vaccines is acceptable. A student may provide a medical exemption which would be physician verification of which vaccines are detrimental to the health of the student and the reasoning for this. A student may also be exempt if they provide a religious exemption signed by the students (18 or older) that they do not get vaccinated due to genuine and sincerely held religious beliefs.
Students who have been honorably discharged from the military within 10 years and provide a DD214 may attend classes pending the receipt of their immunization records from the military. Students are granted a 30-day grace period from the start of classes until the documents must be obtained. Efforts should continue to obtain the immunization records in question.
NYS PHL section 2167 requires students who are registered for 6 or more credit hours to provide verification of the Meningococcal MCV within 10 years of the start of class.
Keuka College has taken this requirement a step further in requiring all students who reside on campus to provide verification of either a Meningococcal MCV or Meningitis B vaccine series given in the last 10 years prior to the start of class. Students not residing on campus may complete the meningococcal vaccination waiver stating that they fully understand the implications of not having the Meningitis vaccine.
Keuka College has several vaccination requirements above the NYS requirements, they are listed below in the section titled “Specific Requirements for Immunization”.
Specific Requirements for Immunization
- Each student enrolling at Keuka College is required to complete a health form that includes official documentation with the following immunizations:
- MMR- 2 doses or Serology proving immunity
- First dose of MMR up to four days before the student’s first birthday and usually given before 15 months
- Second dose of MMR at least 28 days after initial dose but recommended to be given to a child between the ages of four and six.
- Tetanus/diphtheria (TD or Tdap) - given within 10 years of the start of class.
- Hepatitis B- 3 doses or positive for Hepatitis B surface antibody.
- Varicella- 2 doses or Serology proving immunity.
- Meningococcal MCV required for residential students- 1 dose within 10 years of the start of class.
If the student is a commuter or online student, they may sign the Meningitis waiver on the health form if they do not have or declines to receive the Meningococcal vaccine.
For vaccination guidance please call the Health Center 315-279-5368 with questions.
Recommended Immunizations
- COVID-19 primary series and booster is highly recommended for all students.
- Meningococcal B series is highly recommended for residential students.
*Documentation of a vaccine must be recorded as day, month and year.
*Serology provided must be confirmed by a healthcare provider or certified by a laboratory.
*If the student cannot provide acceptable forms of proof of immunization or serology then, re-immunization is required.
Record Keeping
Each individual health form will be reviewed by Keuka College Health Services to assure that each student has met the immunization requirements. A roster of those students not meeting the requirements will be maintained and continuously updated. Mailing, e-mailing and phone calls may be implemented to encourage the student to meet the requirements. Health forms are maintained for 7 years after the student has left the institution because of graduation or for other reasons.
Enforcement
If the student is not in compliance or does not present acceptable evidence of compliance, Keuka College is required by Public Health Law, Section 2165 and Section 2167, to refuse to allow the student to continue in attendance. This process will be in effect for any vaccination required by Keuka College. After 30 days the student will have a health hold applied to their student account.
However, if the student has shown a good faith effort to obtain necessary proof of their first immunizations, the Public Health Law, Section 2165, and Section 2167 provides for a limited period of attendance of 30 days to permit students to comply with the requirements. In regards to section 2165, students transferring from another state or country are allowed a grace period of up to 45 days. In regards to section 2167, the 30- day grace period may be extended to 60 days if the student is trying to comply with the regulation. This process will be in effect for any vaccination required by Keuka College.
The institution will maintain supervision of the student's immunization process until it is completed. If the student refuses to be immunized or provide proof of compliance after the maximum grace period, Keuka College in compliance with Public Health Law, Section 2165 and or Section 2167, will inform the student that they are suspended from the College. Suspension means removal of the student from campus as well as from classes without financial reimbursement. This process will be in effect for any vaccination required by Keuka College.
Keuka College Health Services will notify the Dean of the School of Health and Human Services as well as the VP for Student Development regarding all students not in compliance with the Public Health Law, Section 2165 and/or Section 2167 requirements, or any vaccination required by Keuka College. The VP of Student Development will notify the student of their status at Keuka College for non-compliance with New York State Public Health Law, section 2165 and or section 2167. If these laws are not enforced, Keuka College may be fined $2,000.00 for each violation, this fine will be applied to the students Keuka College bill.
Reporting
Information pertaining to student immunization policy will be reviewed annually and will be in the Keuka College Student Handbook, on the College health form, on the College website and student portal page.
Keuka College Health Services will report any incidence of vaccine preventable diseases to Yates County Public Health Department who in accordance with the State Health Department will determine if outbreak control measures are necessary. Annually the Director of the Health and Counseling Center will report to NYSIIS, MMR and Meningitis vaccine compliance for Keuka College students.
New York State PHL 2165 and 2167 guidance