POLICY STATEMENT

This policy identifies required Immunizations for students at Nevada State University, as well as the process for documenting these Immunizations.

DEFINITIONS

Immunity: Protection from an infectious disease.

Immunization: Process through which a person is made Immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a Vaccine by a licensed medical provider.

Vaccine: Substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide Immunity against a disease; typically administered via injection, but may also be administered via mouth or nasal spray.

PROCEDURES

I. Required Immunizations

Nevada State University requires proof of the required Immunizations listed in A-C below for three groups of students: 1) new first-time and transfer students whose entry term at the University is Fall 2025 or later, 2) discontinued students returning after a gap of two consecutive semesters or more, and 3) any students, regardless of academic standing, status, or starting term, who are approved to live in campus residential housing. These groups must provide proof that they have received the following Immunizations by the beginning of the Fall 2025 term:

A. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) Vaccine; the first dose must be on or after the student’s first birthday;

B. One dose of the tetanus/diphtheria (Td or TDAP) Vaccine, taken in the last ten (10) years;

C. All incoming first-year students who are under twenty-three (23) years of age must also provide proof of Immunization for meningococcus. The meningococcal Vaccine must have been administered when the student was sixteen (16) years of age or older.

1. 1. 1. The meningococcal Vaccine must target serogroups A, C, W, and Y; examples include Menactra or Menveo (MenACYW-135).
      2. Vaccines that target serogroup B, such as Bexero or Trumemba (MENG B) and HIB Meningitis Vaccines, do not fulfill the meningococcus Immunization requirement.
      3. If you are not sure whether your meningococcal Vaccine fulfills this requirement, contact the Office of the Registrar for more information.

Students should contact their medical provider or a Southern Nevada Health District Vaccination Clinic to inquire about scheduling any needed Immunizations.

II. Changes to Required Immunizations

All students are required to show proof of Immunization against any other disease specified by the State Board of Health, unless the student qualifies for an exemption. Information about such Immunization requirements will be distributed to students as they are mandated.

Required Immunizations are subject to change according to federal and state law. If additional Immunization requirements are imposed by law after a student has enrolled at Nevada State University, the student must provide updated documentation in a timely manner indicating the student has met the new Immunization requirements. The University may set deadlines for presenting updated documentation; students who do not meet these deadlines will not be allowed to register or enroll for the following term.

III. Acceptable Proof of Immunization

The following are accepted by Nevada State University as proof of Immunization:

• A childhood Immunization card signed by a physician or nurse, which includes the Vaccinating facility name and address;
• High school or college records that document Immunizations;
• Military, state, or county records that document Immunizations;
• A lab report that indicates Immunity (e.g., titer test for measles, mumps, and rubella);
• Health department records that document Immunizations.

IV. Submitting Immunization Records

Students shall submit Immunization documentation records by following the instructions at https://nevadastate.edu/immunizations/.

The Office of the Registrar shall retain Immunization documentation records for all matriculated students (e.g., upon enrollment and attendance) and will retain the records for three (3) fiscal years after the fiscal year of graduation or for three (3) fiscal years after the year of the student’s last term of active enrollment.

V. Failure to Provide Immunization Documentation

Students who do not submit all required Immunization documentation will not be allowed to register or enroll in classes at Nevada State University.

Students approved to live in campus residential housing will not be issued a key until all required Immunization documentation is received.

If the health authority determines that there is a case at Nevada State University having a communicable disease against which immunity is required for admission, and a student who has not submitted proof of immunity to that disease is attending Nevada State, the president shall require that:

A. The student be immunized; or

B. The student be excluded from Nevada State University until allowed to return by the health authority.

VI. Exceptions to Immunization Requirements

A student shall not be required to provide proof of Immunization if the student has received approval for one of the following exemptions:

A. Religious: The student (or, if the student is a minor, the student’s parent or guardian) submits a written statement indicating that the student’s religious beliefs prohibit Immunization;

B. Medical: The student (or, if the student is a minor, the student’s parent or guardian) submits a statement written by a licensed physician who has examined and/or treated the student, stating that the student has a medical condition that prevents the student from being Immunized to the extent required;

C. Online: The student is enrolled only in online/distance education programs and does not attend any class sessions on campus.

Exemption forms should be uploaded by following the instructions at https://nevadastate.edu/immunizations/. Exemption forms will be kept on file for three (3) fiscal years after the fiscal year of graduation or for three (3) fiscal years after the year of the student’s last term of active enrollment.

In the case of a public health outbreak, non-Immunized students will not be admitted onto campus (including residential housing associated with the University), regardless of exemption status. Such removals do not warrant a refund of tuition, fees, or expenses related to housing.

VII. Additional Requirements for Select Programs

All students enrolled in health care fields of study or teacher education programs are required to provide documentation of Immunization and health screenings (e.g., tuberculosis test) as established by applicable state licensing agencies or clinical or fieldwork placement sites.

Academic programs or campus-sponsored activities may require additional Immunizations if students may be at increased risk of exposure (e.g., study abroad programs).

Students should contact the specific program supervisor for information on any additional required Immunizations or screenings.

VIII. Recommended Immunizations

Based on American College Health Association guidelines, Nevada State University also recommends that students be Immunized against the following:

• Influenza (flu);
• Pertussis (whooping cough);
• Varicella (chickenpox);
• Hepatitis A;
• Hepatitis B;
• Human papillomavirus (HPV);
• COVID-19.

Students should contact a medical care provider or a Southern Nevada Health District Vaccination Clinic to discuss appropriate Immunization schedules and any medical conditions that might prevent the student from receiving a particular Immunization.

FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS

• NS Immunizations page: https://nevadastate.edu/immunizations/
• Medical or Religious Exemption Request forms

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS

Office of Admissions & Recruiting
Andrea Martin, Director
702-992-2503
[email protected]

RELATED INFORMATION

• American College Health Association (ACHA) Immunization Recommendations for College Students, May 2024
• Nevada Administrative Code 441A.755
• Southern Nevada Health District Vaccination Clinics

HISTORY

AE 11 approved 10/21/2019.
AE 11.1 approved 7/27/2021.
AE 11.2 approved 8/31/2021.
Portal address updated 11/05/2021.
AE 11.3 approved 11/29/2021.
AE 11.4 approved 7/12/2022.

APPROVALS

Approved by Dr. Sarah Frey, Provost, July 17, 2024.
Approved by Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President, July 17, 2024.