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Mandatory Immunizations:

  • Source: Texas Administrative Code (TAC): Department of State Health Services, Title 25 Health Services, Rule 97.64 (May 25, 2010) and Title 25 Health Services, Rule 97.65 (March 5, 2009) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Required Vaccinations for Students Enrolled in Health-related and Veterinary Courses in Institutions of Higher Education:
  • Students cannot be enrolled without completing all required immunizations.

    DHS ADN and VN Immunization and Health Requirements

    **AFTER you are notified of selection to the ADN or VN Program and prior to registration for the first semester of nursing courses, you must provide validation by submitting required documentation via PreCheck.

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria Tdap must be noted as administered once in lifetime- If no record then student will need to get a Tdap. If a Tdap was administered, then Td is required every ten years.
  • Polio Students enrolled in health-related courses are encouraged to ascertain that they are immune to poliomyelitis.
  • Measles Two doses required. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to measles).
  • Mumps Two doses required. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to mumps).
  • Rubella Two doses required. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to rubella).
  • Hepatitis B Students must complete the Hepatitis B series which consists of a documented series of three vaccinations or two vaccinations of Heplisav-B (HepB-CpG). The three shot series of injections are administered over a 6-month period of time; two doses of Heplisav-B are given 1 month apart, please plan accordingly. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to Hepatitis B).
  • Tuberculosis Documentation of negative screening results for tuberculosis (TB) is required. Students must complete one of the following TB tests no more than 30 days prior to the 1st day of the 1st clinical rotation period at any facility: 2-Step Tuberculin Skin Test; QuantiFERON®-TB Gold in- Tube test (QFT-GIT or Q-Gold) or T-SPOT®TB test (T-Spot). Thereafter a 2-Step Tuberculin Skin Test; QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT or Q-Gold) or T-SPOT®TB test (T-Spot) is required annually. Those who have had a previous positive TB skin test result will be required to submit a negative chest x-ray completed within thirty (30) days preceding first day of first clinical rotation period at any Facility. There after an annual negative chest x-ray will be required through program completion.
  • Varicella must receive two doses of varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to varicella).
  • Influenza Must show current flu season vaccination no later than October 1st; those admitted in Spring semesters must receive the current season flu shot no later than two weeks prior to the program start date and will be required to receive another vaccination for the upcoming flu season no later than October 1st
  • Bacterial Meningitis The Texas legislature passed a law requiring ALL entering students at institutions of higher education to have an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination or booster during the five-year period preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the first semester or submit an affidavit for an exemption. Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster.

Not that additional immunizations and/or health requirements may be required by the clinical site based on its rules and regulations.

Currently many or all clinical sites are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to include documentation of the 2-dose Moderna or Pfizer, or 1-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine before entry into the facility as a clinical student.  Students should expect this facility requirement to continue.

Rule 97.65 Exceptions to Immunization Requirement (Verification of Immunity/History of Illness).

  • Serologic confirmations of immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, or Varicella, are acceptable. Evidence of Measles, Mumps, Rubella Hepatitis B, or Varicella illnesses must consist of a laboratory report that indicates either confirmation of immunity or infection.