Immunization/Infectious Disease Requirements for Clinical Placement

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The following table contains a list of the current immunizations and disease testing that are required for students that intend to complete rotations at our current clinical affiliates.  Official records of each requirement must be submitted and approved prior to the start of rotations (see Senior Year Summer Session – Professional Training for more information).  Submission of official documentation will not take place until the summer session, but we encourage students to review the current Immunization/Infectious Disease Requirements and begin to compile records as soon as possible in order to identify any testing/vaccinations that may need to be completed.  Depending on current records or immune status testing, additional vaccinations or booster shots may be needed.  Of note, the Hepatitis B vaccine series takes up to six months to complete, so we encourage students to speak to their health care providers or the Student Health and Wellness Center as soon as possible about your current status.  Though we recommend that you begin these vaccinations as soon as possible, they will not be a requirement until clinical placements are finalized prior to the start of the summer session.  It is at the students discretion if they choose to receive any vaccinations prior to finalization of clinical placements.

 

Students that do not plan to complete one or more of the vaccination requirements listed below should contact the Clinical Education Coordinator (bkdepons@uwm.edu) no later than April 1st to discuss options.  Waivers for medical or religious reasons may be available, but this is at the discretion of our clinical affiliates.  If a waiver is not granted by a clinical affiliate and the student does not comply with all requirements, a switch to a major that does not include a clinical rotation may be necessary.

 

There is a website (linked below) where students can input their name, birthday, and social security number, and it will show a history of all immunization records on file with the state of Wisconsin.  This is the recommended method of documentation, and students can print and upload a copy of this as proof of immunization.  Students that are NOT from Wisconsin or have other medical documentation not listed in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry should speak to their physician or healthcare provider in order to acquire immunization records, or acquire them from the state/country where those records can be found.  Students that have not received one or more of the required immunizations are encouraged to schedule these with enough time to complete prior to the start of rotations.  Students that have been immunized but cannot find any official records may have titer testing performed to show immunity, and medical documentation of these test results may be submitted as proof of immunization for most requirements (see specific requirements below).
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NameRequirementAdditional Notes
Measles, Mumps, & Rebella (MMR)One of the following is required:

-2 vaccinations OR
-positive antibody titer (lab report required).

If series is in process, submit 1st vaccine and a new alert will be created for you to complete series.

If the titer is negative or equivocal, new alerts will be created for you to receive 1 booster shot and provide a 2nd titer.
If titer is performed, results must be included for all three diseases.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)One of the following is required:

-2 vaccinations
OR
-positive antibody titer (lab report required)

If series is in process, submit 1st vaccine and a new alert will be created for you to complete series.

If the titer is negative or equivocal, new alerts will be created for you to receive 1 booster shot and provide a 2nd titer.
-The Varicella Vaccine was first licensed in the United States in 1995, so students born prior to this may not have received this vaccination. If you were previously infected with Varicella (Chicken Pox) and have not received this vaccination, we recommend you start with the titer testing. You may already have protective antibodies and may not need a vaccination.
Hepatitis BOne of the following is required:

-3 vaccinations OR
-a positive antibody titer (lab report required).

If series is in process, submit where you are in the series and new alerts will be created for you to complete the series.

If the titer is negative or equivocal, new alerts will be created for you to receive 1 booster shot and provide a 2nd titer.
-This vaccine series takes six months to complete. If you are not currently vaccinated for Hepatitis B, we recommend starting this series as soon as possible to complete prior to the start of clinical rotations in November.

-A Hepatits B Declination form may be available if you do not wish to complete this vaccination. Contact us no later than April 1 if you do not plan to receive the Hepatitis B Vaccination.
Tuberculosis (TB)One of the following is required:

-2 step TB Skin Test (1-3 weeks apart) OR
-QuantiFERON Gold Blood Test OR
-T-SPOT Test

OR

-If positive results, provide a clear chest x-ray within the past year.
-The Quantiferon TB Gold test is performed on blood and only requires one visit. This is the most common test students complete due to convenience, but may be more expensive. Negative Quantiferon TB Gold test results are acceptable if performed within 12 months of clinical start date (must be within 90 days of clinical start date if completing rotations with Froedtert Health).

-If TB skin test is chosen, you must complete the 2 step version unless you have had TB skin tests annually in the past (contact Brad for more information if you believe you fall in this category). This involves two separate TB skin tests (each individual test requires 2 visits), performed 1-3 weeks apart. In total, you can expect to have 4 total visits with this method. Negative 2 step TB skin test results are acceptable if performed within 12 months of clinical start date (must be within 90 days of the clinical start date if completing rotations with Froedtert Health).
Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (TDaP or Td)Submit documentation of a TDaP or Td within 10 years. If you have received the TDaP more than 10 years ago, a TD booster within the past 10 years is acceptable.

The renewal date will be set for 10 years from the administered date of the booster.
Students that have received a TDaP >10 years ago will need to submit the original TDaP date, as well as a Td booster date that is within the previous 10 years.
Influenza (flu)One of the following is required:

-Documentation of a flu shot administered during the current flu season

OR

-Declination waiver (contact us if you wish to request a waiver).
-This must be for the CURRENT flu season. Annual flu vaccinations typically are released in August/September.

-Waivers for religious and/or medical reasons may be available, but we cannot guarantee that sites will grant approval. Contact us no later than April 1st if you do not plan to receive the influenza vaccination.

-If completing rotations with ACL Laboratories, an additional Influenza Vaccine Verification Form must be completed at the time of your flu shot. This form is available on the Advocate Aurora Health On-Boarding Instructions page, and you should bring this with you when receiving your flu shot. This form will be submitted to Brad (do not upload this form to CastleBranch)
COVID-19 Vaccination

NOTE: This vaccination is generally not a requirement anymore and is now listed as RECOMMENDED at most sites. Reach out to the Educational Coordinator if you have questions regarding a specific site policy if you have not/do not intend to receive this vaccination to find out if it is still a requirement.
Documentation of a completed vaccine series with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine

If your series is in process, submit your first vaccine and a new alert will be created for you to provide your second vaccination, if applicable.

Documentation must include the vaccine manufacturer.
-Copies of vaccine cards are acceptable at most sites, but additional proof (such as records from the Wisconsin Vaccine registry) may be required.

-Booster shots are not mandatory at this time, but this requirement may change in the future. At this time we recommend that students receive all applicable booster shots and are "up to date" with their vaccine status. We will communicate any changes if this becomes a requirement in the future.

-Waivers for religious and/or medical reasons may be available, but we cannot guarantee that sites will grant approval. Contact us no later than April 1st if you do not plan to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.