Required Immunizations and Health Information

To ensure a healthy and safe campus community, if you plan to enroll in at least one in-person class, live on campus, or access in-person services or facilities on SUNY Oneonta's campus, you are required to comply with mandatory Health Center requirements.

Health Information & Vaccine Requirements

Proof of Immunizations

Documentation may be provided by a completed Proof of Immunization Form, physician's office printout, or certificate from high school or other postsecondary institution and then be uploaded on the patient portal. Required immunizations are Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Meningitis. A COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be required for enrollment, though all students are urged to remain up to date with vaccines and boosters.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine requirements can be met through one of the following:
1. Two doses of MMR vaccine
2. Two doses of Measles and one dose of Mumps and one dose of Rubella vaccine
3. Medical documentation of history of disease(s)
4. Blood titers showing immunity (lab report required)
5. Born before 1/1/1957
Meningitis: NYS Public Health Law 2167 became effective January 1, 2017. This law requires all colleges/universities to distribute information about meningococcal disease and vaccination. For more information regarding New York State PHL Section 2167 meningococcal disease and vaccinations please see meningococcal disease fact sheet. According to the NYS Public Health Law 2167 every new student is required to upload to the patient portal the following information:

Provide proof of at least 1 dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine (Menveo, Menactra or MenQuadfi) or a complete 2 or 3 - dose series of MenB (Trumenba or Bexsero) within the last 5 years.

OR

Sign a waiver form refusing meningococcal vaccine which can be found on Proof of Immunization Form.

For more information about required vaccines visit the department of health website.

MMR Immunization Exemptions

New York state law allows a student to request a waiver from a vaccination that is normally required by law if that student, or the parent(s) or guardian(s) of students who are younger than 18 years old, hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs that are contrary to the practice of immunization, or if there is a medical reason to avoid vaccination. Please note, in the event of an outbreak, medically and religiously exempt students may be excluded from classes or campus for their safety. Once a form is completed, they are to be sent to the Health Center for review via email or fax (information is provided on the select forms).

Medical Exemption forms must be completed by licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife (for a pregnant student), that is caring for the student. This is to certify that the student has a health condition that prevents receiving the MMR vaccine.
Religious Exemption forms are to be completed if that student, or student's parent(s) of those less than 18 years old, holds genuine beliefs which are contrary to the practice of immunization. Requests for religious exemption are to be submitted with a written statement from the student, or parent/guardian (if under 18).

Health History

This is a brief health history to be completed on the patient portal. All new users must register on the patient portal. Once registered you can find Health History under the "required forms" tab.

Students Under 18

Incoming students, starting college under the age of 18, are required to have a Parent or Guardian complete the Parental Consent for Treatment Form. This form allows for the Health Center to provide treatment to minors, over the course of the school year.

Online Only Students

Incoming students who are part of an online only program are free of the SUNY Oneonta Health Requirements. In their place, the Health Center asks that you fill out and submit the Online Student Waiver Form on the patient portal, under the Required Forms tab. This form will inform us of your online only status as well as inform you about service availability. Failure to submit the form may cause a hold to be placed on your student account.

Submission Deadlines

Health Center requirements for new students are due: June 30th for incoming Fall Semester, December 30th for incoming Spring semester students, and April 30th for incoming Summer students.

Additional Requirements for International Students:

Residents of foreign countries must also have documented proof of TB testing from their home country. We recommend having their home health care providers complete the International Student Proof of Immunization Form which includes required immunizations and TB testing.

Special Considerations

An important part of a student’s college experience involves learning about how to optimize their health and well-being and to advocate for their health-related concerns. For some students, this could refer to learning how to make (and keep) a medical appointment, understanding how to get a prescription filled at a pharmacy, or communicating to a health care provider the important details of their health/medication history. The Student Health Center staff is committed to helping students navigate this developmental process. At the same time, we recognize how difficult it is knowing that your student is ill and possibly hours away from home. We also understand the feeling of uncertainty to have your student receive healthcare from providers they do not know. Many parents/guardians also find it frustrating when their students are seen at the Student Health Center and the provider cannot speak with them about their students’ condition or plan of care without the students’ permission.

Working together we can help your student develop skills needed to understand and participate in decisions concerning personal health and to acquire knowledge of accessing medical services and an understanding of the cost of medical care, and the necessity for medical insurance. We can also help students develop healthy behaviors to reduce the risk of illness and injury.

As your student prepares to leave for college, there are some things that parents/guardians can do to help their student manage their health:

Encourage your student to call and make his or her next medical appointment and obtain general information about the appointment.
Review the basics of your insurance plan with your student, providing copies of his or her medical, prescription drug, dental, and/or vision insurance cards, discussing any requirements for pre-approval, whether and when to notify the insurance company following hospitalization or emergency room care, and the difference between "in-network" and "out-of-network" care.
Discuss any seasonal, food, or drug allergies and personal and family medical histories, ensuring that your student can provide the basics to a health care provider.
Discuss the resources on campus and where to get services for other concerns or medical conditions that may be provided by a local professional in the community.
Send your student to college with basic first aid and over the counter medication(s).
Encourage your student to contact health center administration before calling home, if s/he is not satisfied with their service. We always take student concerns seriously!

All student information held at the Health Center is strictly confidential and will not be released without written or phone consent by the student and/or as required by law. Students under 18 years of age, must have parental permission to be seen and treated at the Health Center except for emergency situations, emancipated minors, or reproductive health issues.