Immunization Policy
Keuka College upholds the provisions of New York State Immunization requirements for post-secondary institutions. This policy may be amended during public health emergencies to allow the College to comply with guidance from local, state, and federal health officials.
NYS Public Health Law §2165 requires students attending post-secondary institutions who were born on or after January 1, 1957, and registered for 6 or more credit hours per semester (or the equivalent per semester), or at least four credit hours per quarter, which require a student to report to the institution’s physical campus, to demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Proof of imunity may be provided by submitting records signed by a health care provider, or other acceptable certificate or record of immunization.
The College requires students who are registered for 6 or more credit hours per semester, or at least four credit hours per quarter and which require a student to report to the institution’s physical campus to provide verification of the Meningococcal MCV within 10 years of the start of class. All Keuka College students who reside on campus are required to provide verification of a Meningococcal MCV vaccine series given in the last 10 years prior to the start of class. Students not residing on campus must provide one of the following:
- A vaccine record indicating at least 1 dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last 5 years or a complete 2- or 3-dose series of MenB without a response form; or
- A signed response form with a vaccine record (If a student submits a response form selecting this option, a vaccine record must be attached); or
- A signed response form indicating that the student will obtain meningococcal vaccine within 30 days; or
- A signed response form indicating that the student will not obtain immunization against meningococcal disease.
All Keuka College students who reside on campus are required to provide verification of a Meningococcal MCV vaccine series given in the last 10 years prior to the start of class.
Students who are New York State residents are granted a 30-day grace period and out- of-state and international students may be granted a 45-day grace period from the start of classes to submit immunization compliance documents provided that the student can show a good faith effort to comply with these requirements, however residential students will not be given residence hall access or allowed to move into their residence hall space until the College has received verification of all required immunizations. Efforts should continue to obtain the immunization records in question.
Military Waiver: Students honorably discharged from the military within 10 years of the date of application to the College, and who present a DD214 may attend classes pending the receipt of immunization records from the armed services.
Exemptions: In accordance with applicable laws, the College will recognize the following exemptions only from these requirements:
- A medical exemption – A medical exemption must be provided in writing by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and state that a valid contraindication to vaccination exists. The exemption must specify which immunizations are contraindicated and why.
- A religious exemption – A religious exemption must be provided in writing and signed by the student (or parent or guardian if the student is under 18 years of age) that they object to immunization due to their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Required Immunizations
- MMR- 2 doses or Serology* proving immunity.
- Meningococcal ACWY required for residential students- 1 dose within 10 years of the start of class. All non-residential students must provide a completed health form that affirms one of the following: (1) they have received a Meningococcal ACWY vaccination within ten years from the start of class, (2) they have completed a 2- or 3-dose series of MenB within the last five years (3) a signed response form indicating that the student will obtain meningococcal vaccine within 30 days, or (4) a statement that they understand the risks of contracting meningitis and with that knowledge, have decided not to obtain immunization against meningococcal disease at this time.
*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.
Recommended Immunizations/Screenings
- COVID-19 primary series and booster is highly recommended for all students.
- Meningococcal B series is highly recommended for residential students.
- Tetanus/diphtheria (TD or Tdap) - given within 10 years of the start of class recommended for all students.
- Hepatitis B- 3 doses or positive for Hepatitis B surface antibody recommended for all students in the School of Health and Human Services.
- Varicella 2 dose series recommended for all students in the School of Health and Human Services.
- International students (i.e., any student born outside the United States or a citizen of another country) must also have an IGRA test for tuberculosis within 6 months of the start of class by either QuantiFERON or T-Spot testing.
For vaccination guidance, please call the Health & Counseling Center (315) 279-5368 with questions.
While the aforementioned immunizations are required for all Keuka College students, students should be aware that future Field Period ®, clinical, and student teaching placement sites may have additional health requirements (e.g., physicals, additional immunizations). Academic departments will assist students in understanding these additional health requirements, but all health records must be submitted to Keuka College Health Services staff and kept in the College’s Health Center.
Record Keeping
Each individual health form will be reviewed by Keuka College Health and Counseling Center staff 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. Communications with students, including mailing, e-mailing and phone calls will be implemented to remind the student to meet the requirements in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidance. Health forms are maintained for 7 years after the student has left the institution because of graduation or for any other reason.
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, except as otherwise permitted by law, 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 regard to section 2165, students transferring from another state or country are allowed a grace period of up to 45 days. In regard 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 Center Director 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 this student immunization policy will be reviewed annually and will be located in the Keuka College Student Handbook, on the College health form, on the College website, and the student portal page.
Keuka College Health Center staff 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