Purpose
Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine (XUSOVM) is committed to protecting the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff, clients, patients, and the public. Because veterinary medical students may be exposed to infectious diseases during laboratory exercises, animal handling, clinical training, and community outreach activities, all students are required to maintain appropriate immunization status throughout their enrollment.
Policy
All students must provide documentation of required immunizations and vaccinations before matriculation and maintain compliance throughout their enrollment in the DVM program.
Students are responsible for all costs associated with vaccinations, serologic testing, boosters, and related medical documentation.
Failure to comply with immunization requirements may result in restrictions from laboratory activities, clinical experiences, externships, clinical rotations, or other educational activities.
Required Immunizations
Students must provide evidence of immunity, vaccination records, or appropriate medical documentation for the following:
1 Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
Students must provide:
- Documentation of two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine; or
- Laboratory evidence of immunity.
2 Varicella
Students must provide:
- Documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine; or
- Laboratory evidence of immunity; or
- Documentation of previous physician-confirmed disease.
3 Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
Students must have:
- One documented adult Tdap vaccination; and
- A Td or Tdap booster within the previous ten (10) years.
4 Hepatitis B
Students must provide:
- Documentation of a completed Hepatitis B vaccination series; and
- Evidence of protective Hepatitis B surface antibody titers, when required.
5 Rabies Vaccination
Because of occupational exposure risks associated with veterinary medicine, all students are required to comply with XUSOVM’s Rabies Vaccination Policy.
Students must:
- Complete a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended pre-exposure rabies vaccination series; and
- Meet the titer-monitoring and booster requirements appropriate to their exposure risk, as determined by a qualified healthcare provider and required by XUSOVM or the clinical affiliate.
Rabies pre-exposure vaccination does not remove the need for urgent medical assessment after a possible exposure. Follow the incident-response procedures in Section VII.
Clinical reference: CDC Rabies Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Guidance, https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/hcp/clinical-care/pre-exposure-prophylaxis.html; CDC Yellow Book Rabies, https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/rabies.html.
6 COVID 19 Vaccination
Students must comply with current XUSOVM vaccination requirements and any vaccination requirements established by affiliated clinical institutions, externship sites, or governmental authorities.
7 Influenza
Students are strongly encouraged and may be required by certain clinical affiliates to receive annual influenza vaccination.
Recommended Immunizations
Students are strongly encouraged to maintain current immunizations in accordance with CDC recommendations, including:
- Hepatitis A
- Meningococcal Vaccination (MenACWY and/or MenB)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Pneumococcal Vaccination (when indicated)
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Vaccination (when indicated)
- Polio Vaccination
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Vaccination (when indicated)
- Other vaccines recommended by healthcare providers based on age, health status, travel plans, or occupational risk.
Clinical Affiliate Requirements
Clinical affiliates, teaching hospitals, externship sites, and other training locations may establish additional immunization, screening, testing, or booster requirements.
Students are responsible for complying with all site-specific requirements before participating in educational activities at those locations.
Documentation Requirements
Students must submit copies of all immunization records and supporting medical documentation to the Office of Student Affairs or designated University office prior to matriculation and whenever updates are required.
The University reserves the right to request additional documentation, serologic testing, or proof of immunity at any time.
Medical Exemptions
Students seeking exemption from specific vaccination requirements due to documented medical contraindications must submit a written request and supporting medical documentation to the Dean of Student Affairs.
Approval of any exemption is at the sole discretion of the University and may be subject to restrictions on participation in certain educational activities.
Religious or Personal Requests
Requests for exemption based on religious or personal beliefs must be submitted in writing to the Grievances Committee for review.
The Committee may request supporting documentation and will evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis.
The Grievances Committee will communicate its determination in writing. Any further appeal follows the applicable procedures in Section VII.
Compliance
Failure to maintain required immunization status may result in:
- Restricted access to laboratories, clinical skills facilities, and animal handling activities;
- Ineligibility to participate in clinical rotations or externships;
- Administrative holds on registration; and/or
- Other actions deemed necessary to protect public health and meet accreditation or affiliate requirements.
References
Current immunization recommendations are available through:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines
Adult Immunization Schedule
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination Information
https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines
Policy Contact
Dean of Student Affairs
Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine