Students enrolled in the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy (FWSOP) must comply with immunization requirements established by the State of North Carolina and by the FWSOP. These requirements protect the health of our students and minimize the transmission of communicable diseases within the program and across the campus community. Students must meet all immunization requirements before matriculation and maintain compliance through graduation. These requirements apply to every enrolled student, not only to incoming applicants.
Required Immunizations & Screenings
The following immunizations and screenings are required for all FWSOP students. Because Verified Credentials can take up to two weeks to approve documentation, start early and plan to have vaccines completed and records submitted ahead of each deadline.
| Vaccine / Screening | Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria/Tetanus/ Pertussis | Documentation of a completed primary series. All students must get a one-time dose of Tdap if they have not received Tdap previously (regardless of when previous dose of Td was received) and must get Td boosters every 10 years thereafter. | July 31 before matriculation |
| Meningitis | One or two-dose vaccine series. If first dose administered after the age of 16, no further dose required. | July 31 before matriculation |
| Influenza | One dose ANNUALLY | October 1 every year |
| Measles | 2-dose live attenuated vaccines or two MMRs administered on schedule of which first must be given after one year of age. | July 31 before matriculation |
| Mumps | 2-dose live attenuated vaccines or two MMRs administered on schedule of which first must be given after one year of age. | July 31 before matriculation |
| Rubella | 1-dose live attenuated vaccine or one MMR administered after one year of age. | July 31 before matriculation |
| Varicella | 1-dose live attenuated vaccine. NOTE: History of previous infection is not sufficient evidence of immunity. In these cases, titer validating current immunity must be included. | July 31 before matriculation |
| Tuberculosis – Initial | Baseline tuberculosis screening in the form of a Quantiferon blood test (preferred) or a two-step tuberculosis skin test (TST) performed in accordance with CDC guidelines no more than 6 months prior to matriculation | July 31 before matriculation |
| Tuberculosis - Annual | Tuberculosis screening in the form of a two-step tuberculosis skin test (TST) or Quantiferon testing (preferred) ANNUALLY NOTE: Certain clinical sites may have more stringent requirements. If any TB testing is positive, evaluation (and treatment if indicated) must be completed in accordance with CDC guidelines. As an alternative to the TST, students who have been vaccinated with BCG, may opt to have a blood test to detect TB infection | April 1 every year |
| Hepatitis B | Two methods for completion: 1.Documentation of a two or three-dose immunization series against Hepatitis B followed by a positive (immune) titer OR 2. Documentation of a two or three-dose immunization series against Hepatitis B followed by a negative (immune) titer followed by a second two or three-dose immunization series followed by a positive or negative titer*. | July 31 before matriculation: Completed step 1 OR first dose in second series April 1 of P1 year– FULL SERIES AND POSITIVE TITER COMPLETED *NOTE: Nonconverters (those with a negative titer) may require additional immunizations per the CDC recommendations. In order to ensure full completion, the series should be started before matriculation. |
Certain clinical sites may have more stringent requirements. If any TB test is positive, evaluation and, if indicated, treatment must be completed per CDC guidelines. Students vaccinated with BCG may opt for a blood test to detect TB infection instead of the TST. Certain patient-care activities (for example, international rotations) may require additional immunizations or disease prophylaxis. Students are responsible for consulting the Assistant / Associate Dean of Experiential Education to determine whether additional immunizations or screenings are needed.
Submitting Documentation
Students must upload a record of immunization or serologic proof of immunity for all required immunizations and screenings to Verified Credentials (VCI) at scholar.verifiedcredentials.com/highpoint within the required time frames.
Deadlines & Ongoing Compliance
Students must complete all requirements before matriculation and keep documentation current throughout enrollment. Failure to complete required immunizations and screenings, or to upload requested documentation by the deadlines above, may result in a rescinded offer of admission and forfeiture of the student’s seat, with any deposit non-refundable. After matriculation, missing a deadline results in referral to the ADAA for disciplinary action under the Progression Policy and may result in a delay or cancellation of IPPE / APPE rotations and/or referral to the Academic and Professional Conduct Committee for unprofessional behavior.
Waivers & Exemptions
Exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis for medical contraindication or religious objection to immunization. Students who are granted an exemption acknowledge that they will not have the protection afforded by immunizations and assume the associated risks. Applicants and admitted students considering an exemption are strongly encouraged to discuss possible limitations on clinical placement with the Assistant / Associate Dean of Student and Professional Affairs before applying. Students who are not approved for an exemption before matriculation may have their offer of admission rescinded and forfeit their seat, with any deposit non-refundable.
Important: Even when the FWSOP grants an exemption, it cannot require third-party clinical sites to accept it. Some clinical sites required by the experiential program do not accept immunization exemptions. As a result, the FWSOP cannot guarantee clinical placement for a student who does not meet all vaccination requirements, and an inability to be placed may delay or preclude completion of the program.
Full Policy & Questions
For the complete policy, see Immunizations and Screening Requirements in the FWSOP Student Handbook. Questions may be directed to Dr. Betsy Abbot, Assistant Dean for Student and Professional Affairs, at [email protected].