FAQs for Health Sciences Students

University Student Health Services > Immunizations > FAQs About Immunizations > Health Sciences Students
General Vaccine Questions

1. What if I am unable to obtain documentation for my childhood vaccines?
If official documentation is not obtainable from your physician’s office, primary or secondary school, or military records, you will be required to:

  • Receive two-step TB testing OR IGRA testing.
  • Receive the Tdap vaccine.
  • Have blood titers drawn for Mumps, Rubeola, and Rubella.
  • Have a Hepatitis B titer drawn if you have completed the Hepatitis B vaccine series.
  • Have a Varicella titer drawn if you had the chickenpox disease.  If you have not had chickenpox, you must have 2 doses of Varicella vaccine.

2. How do I know if VCU has received my immunization records?
Records received by Student Health will be entered into your web portal immunization record.  You can check the status of your submission but logging into the VCU Student Health Web Portal.  Go to the "My Profile" tab.  If your vaccines, titers, and TB information are listed under "Immun. History", then your documentation has been processed.

3. How do you communicate with me regarding follow-up?
VCU Student Health Services utilizes secure messaging through the Web Portal to protect your personal information.  A secure message will be sent if there is an issue regarding your immunization status.  Log in to the VCU Student Health Web Portal to read your message.  Please do not ignore these messages as immunization noncompliance may affect your ability to participate in clinicals.

4. I need my off-site rotation paperwork completed.  What should I do?
If paperwork only requires the signature of a medical provider to confirm immunizations, students can upload a copy of the form to the Web Portal:

  • Please complete as much of the form as possible prior to upload. 
  • It is very important to choose "Away Rotation/Residency Forms" for the Document Type as this flags the form for nursing staff to complete within the next week. 
  • Signed paperwork will be uploaded to the Portal once completed.  You will receive a phone call and a secure message notifying you that the forms are complete and available online.  If you do not hear back from us after 1 week, please call 804-828-9220. 

If off-site rotation paperwork requires additional vaccines or titers, you should schedule a nurse appointment to complete requirements and to have forms reviewed and signed.  Please complete as much of your paperwork as possible before the visit.

If a physical or a statement regarding your health is required, you will need to schedule a physical with a clinician.  Call (804) 828-9220 for the VCU Medical Campus or (804) 828-8828 for the Monroe Park Campus.  Again, please complete as much of your paperwork as possible prior to the appointment.

Specific Vaccine Questions

Vaccine requirements for Health Sciences students will vary depending on the clinical site.  Students should verify vaccine requirements with their specific sites. 

Commonly required vaccines may include Influenza, COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Varicella (chickenpox), and Tuberculosis testing.  Common questions about requirements specific to Health Sciences students are reviewed below.  For other vaccine questions, please visit our General FAQs page.

Chickenpox

If I had chickenpox, do I need a Varicella titer?
Some clinical rotation sites may require proof of immunity to varicella:

  • Students who previously had chickenpox may be asked to complete a Varicella titer.  If the titer is positive, no further action is needed.  If the titer is negative, the clinical site may require 2 doses of Varicella vaccine.
  • If you were vaccinated against chickenpox disease, you may need documentation of 2 doses of vaccine OR a positive Varicella titer.  A titer drawn after vaccination is not required.
Hepatitis B

1. What are the Hepatitis B requirements?
VCU currently requires 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine OR 3 doses of Twinrix OR 2 doses of HEPLISAV-B.  Some clinical sites may also require serological evidence of immunity with a positive Hepatitis B titer.

2. What if my Hepatitis B titer is negative?
If your Hepatitis B titer is negative and your clinical site requires a positive titer, you will need to be revaccinated according to current CDC recommendations.  Once you complete the recommended doses, another titer will be checked 4-8 weeks later (CDC Healthcare Personnel Vaccinations Recommendations, 3/2015).

If your titer is still negative after completing a second vaccine series, contact University Student Health Services to discuss your follow-up options.  If you are considered a non-responder, you will be counseled on the risks of blood and body fluid exposures.

MMR

Do I have to get a MMR titer if I have documentation of two vaccines?
At this time, VCU does not require a MMR titer if you have documentation of 2 doses of MMR vaccine administered after your first birthday and spaced at least 28 days apart.

If you do not have documentation of 2 doses, you will be required to submit titer results.  If the titer is negative, 1 or 2 booster doses of the vaccine will be required; this will be based on the titer results for each of the 3 diseases (Measles, Mumps & Rubella).

Please note that some off-site rotations require MMR titers, so you may need to have a titer drawn at a later date.

Tuberculosis

1. What is a two-step TB test, and do I need it?
A two-step TB test requires having one TB test administered and read, then a second test administered and read 7-30 days later.  If you have completed annual TB testing consecutively for the last 5 years, you can submit these test dates and results in place of the two-step TB test requirement.

2. What is an IGRA test for TB?
In lieu of a two-step TB test, you may opt to have the one-visit IGRA test.  This is a blood test specific to the TB mycobacteria.  If the test is negative, no further action is required until your annual TB screening is due.

3. What if my TB test is positive?
You will be required to have a chest x-ray to rule out active TB disease.  You may discuss your results with a clinic nurse by calling the Immunization Help Desk at (804) 827-8047 during regular business hours.  Once your information is reviewed, we can help you with the next steps and discuss annual requirements.

4. What if I have a history of a positive TB test?
If you have a history of a positive TB skin test or IGRA, you will need to complete a TB symptom survey annually.  You will need to submit a chest x-ray result dated within the prior six months of an August 1 start date.

If you were treated for latent TB infection (LTBI), please submit your treatment documentation.