A condition of attendance at a post-secondary institution (Niagara University) regarding immunization for measles, mumps, rubella and meningococcal disease in accordance with New York State Department of Health PHL Section 2165 (measles, mumps and rubella), New York State Department of Health PHL Section 2167 (meningococcal disease).

Requirements for Attendance

1.  Measles

     Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to measles.  Only one of the following is required:

• The student must submit proof of two (2) doses of live measles vaccine:  the first dose given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday and the second at least 28 days after the first dose; or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to measles.  This means the demonstration of measles antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory: or
• The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner that the student has had measles disease: or
• The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution.  The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services: or
• If a student is unable to access his/her immunization record from a health care provider or previous school, documentation that proves the student attended primary or secondary school in the United States after 1980 will be sufficient proof that the student received one dose of live measles vaccine.  If this option is used, the second dose of measles vaccine must have been administered within one year of attendance at a post-secondary institution.

2.  Mumps

     Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to mumps.  Only one of the following is required:

• The student must submit proof of one dose of live mumps vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday: or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to mumps.  This means the demonstration of mumps antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory, or
• The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner that the student has had mumps disease; or
• The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution.  The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed service.       

3.  Rubella

     Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to rubella.  Only one of the following is required: 

• The student must submit proof of one dose of live rubella vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to rubella.  This means the demonstration of rubella antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory (Since rubella rashes resemble rashes of other diseases, it is impossible to diagnose reliably on clinical grounds alone.  Serological evidence is the only permissible alternative to immunization; or
• The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution.  The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed service.

4.  Meningococcal Disease

     New York State PHL Section 2167 requires post-secondary institutions to distribute information about meningococcal disease and vaccination to the students, or parents or guardians of students under the age of 18.  The institution is required to maintain a record of the following for each student:

• Certificate of Immunization for meningococcal meningitis disease: or
• A response to receipt of meningococcal meningitis disease and vaccine information signed by the student or the student's parent or guardian: AND EITHER
• Self reported or parent recall of meningococcal meningitis immunization within the past 10 years; or
• An acknowledgement of meningococcal disease risks and refusal of meningococcal meningitis immunization signed by the student or student's parent or guardian.

New York Vaccines for Children (NY VFC) Program

Free vaccine is available through the NY VFC program.  College students age 18 or under are elibgible to receive free vaccine if they are:

• Medicaid/Medicaid Managed care enrolled;
• Not insured/have no insurance;
• Underinsured (insurance does not cover immunizations);
• American Indian/Alaskan Native;
• Receiving vaccine at a county/city health department.

For more information about how to register for the VFC program, call 1-800-543-7468.

BACKGROUND:  NYS DOH Bureau of Communicable Disease Control Immunization Program

Before the introduction of effective vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella in the mid-1960's, these diseases and their complications were events endured by virtually all children before they reached adolescence.  Each year, the occurrence of these diseases resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of cases of pneumonia, encephalitis, and the complications leading to permanent brain damage, deafness, serious birth defects and many other serious consequences.  The use of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine during the major measles elimination effort from 1978 to 1983 effectively reduced cases of all three diseases.

During the first six months of 1989, 81% of the reported cases of measles in New York State occurred in 12 outbreaks in post-secondary institutions.  These outbreaks resulted in high costs to both students and institutions for vaccine, treatment of acute illness and disease complications, lost wages and classroom time, and disruption of the learning environment.  These outbreaks resulted from inadequate immunization or vaccine failure in some students coupled with the close contact in living and study quarters inherent in the college setting.  The outbreaks resulted in the enactment of Public Health Law (PHL) Section 2165 (effective August 1, 1990) that mandated measles, mumps and rubella immunizations for college students and demonstrated the continuing need for effective immunization policies.

During the college measles outbreaks of 1989, the regulatory changes necessary to prevent a continuing epidemic and its attendant costs became apparent.  These were enacted through changes to PHL Section 2165 mandating documentation of immunity as a prerequisite for college enrollment and attendance; and requiring a two-dose immunization schedule that adequately protects against measles vaccine failure.  Implementation of these changes has curtailed outbreaks of measles, mumps and rubella on college campuses.

While anyone can get meningococcal disease, some adolescents, such as first year college students living in dormitories, are at an increased risk of meningococcal disease.  On August 15, 2003, another statute, PHL Section 2167, took effect.  This law requires that post-secondary institutions distribute information about meningococcal meningitis and meningitis immunization to all students.  Schools must also provide students with a response form on which students indicate that they have reviewed the information and decided not to be immunized, or have received a meningitis immunization within ten years prior to the date of the response form.  The institution must retain the completed response form or certificate of immunization and not permit any student to attend the institution in excess of thirty days who has not returned a response form or provided documentation of immunization against meningococcal disease.