Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations
and Wellness Center Requirements
General Information
Q: What are the immunization requirements for students entering institutions of higher
education?
A: According to the Higher Education Rules, N.J.A.C. 8:57-6.1, the requirements within this
subchapter apply to the following:
● All new or continuing full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students,
International and English Learning Program (ELP) enrolled in a program of study leading
to an academic degree. Students enrolled in Cooper Medical School at Rowan
University (CMSRU) or Rowan Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine must submit
evidence of immunizations to their respective program, which may have additional
immunization requirements.
○ Three Hepatitis B vaccines are required for students taking 12 or more credits
per semester
○ Two Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines are required for all
students born after 1956.
○ Meningococcal ACWY (Menactra®, Menveo®, or MenQuadfi®) dated on our
after-student’s 16
th
birthday is required for all students 18 years and younger,
all residential students, and individuals with certain high risk conditions as
indicated on the Online Wellness Center Requirements form.
○ Meningococcal B (Bexsero® or Trumenba®) is recommended for all students
and required for individuals with certain high risk conditions as indicated on the
Online Wellness Center Requirements form.
○ Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) is recommended for all students and
required for all NCAA Athletes.
Q: Are NJ Immunization and Rowan University requirements in accordance with the
Centers for Disease Control and ACIP guidelines?
A: Yes, requirements are in accordance with the guidelines of the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians, and CDC/Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices (ACIP). However, NJ establishes the minimum vaccine requirements
for attendance.
Q: When do students need to show proof of immunization?
A: Immunization records must be submitted to Rowan University Student Health Services by the
published deadlines. Updates to immunization records must be provided to the Wellness
Center as soon as they are received. Vaccines should be written in English and
administration dates should be listed by month, day and year. This allows us to verify the
Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations
and Wellness Center Requirements
immunizations were administered in the appropriate time frame set forth by New Jersey
Department of Health. For the Hepatitis B vaccine administered “at the hospital” or “at birth” is
acceptable for the first dose.
Q: Where do I get a copy of my immunization record?
A: Your provider is usually the best place to get a copy of your immunization record. Your high
school is another source for immunization records. Your immunization record must come from a
health professional and students are not permitted to complete immunization forms themselves.
The Wellness Center has an interface with the New Jersey Immunization Registry. If a student
has records in the registry and the information in the registry matches with our system, they will
be shared with the Wellness Center.
Q: What do I do if I cannot find my immunization record?
A: Sometimes individuals aren’t able to obtain a copy of their immunization records or their
records are incomplete. In these cases we recommend having blood titers drawn. Blood titers
are not recommended if you know that you have not received the required immunizations.
Q: What are blood titers?
A: Blood titers are a test to determine if you are immune to a specific disease. A lab will draw
your blood and based on your antibody levels to a specific disease they will determine if you are
immune from the disease. Results must show you are positive for immunity. Equivocal results
are not positive for immunity and a booster will be required. Additional titers or immunizations
may be required depending on whether the booster met the needed requirements. Your
provider or Student Health Services is able to write you a script for blood titers for you. Blood
titers can be drawn to determine immunity for Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Hepatitis B.
Q: Can I get vaccines at Student Health Services?
A: Student Health Services does provide state required vaccines to students. However, SHS
does not bill insurances. Students will have to pay for immunizations out of pocket and request
reimbursement from their insurance company. Students who purchase the university health
insurance plan through Aetna are able to get vaccinated at Student Health Services at no cost.
Q: When are the late fees charged?
A: Student Health Services does its best to work with students and any challenges with
submitting the proper documentation. Regular updates and reminders are sent via U.S. mail,
email, text messaging and phone calls to ensure that all students comply with the submission
deadlines (Summer & Fall enrollment – June 15
th
, Spring enrollment – December 15
th
). In
addition, a grace period may be allotted for those who have special circumstances. A late fee of
Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations
and Wellness Center Requirements
$50 will be assessed if you do not have any documentation into the Wellness Center on or
before the grace period. An additional $50 late fee and a hold on your Banner account will be
assessed if you are not completely compliant with your documentation after an additional grace
period. This hold will prevent you from registering for classes, dropping/adding classes, and
viewing grades.
Q: What does Rowan University require?
A: All Rowan University students must show evidence of 2 doses of combined MMR vaccine or
2 doses of each individual Measles, Mumps and Rubella. New Jersey requires the first
immunization be given no earlier than 12 months of age. The second dose cannot be received
until at least 28 days after the first dose. Students with dates that do not meet these
requirements may choose to have blood titers or a booster dose.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Q: What is Measles, Mumps and Rubella?
A: Measles, Mumps and Rubella, commonly known as MMR, is a childhood vaccination. This
vaccine is most commonly administered as a combination. However, there may be records of
the vaccine administered separately, typically in our adult or international population. Measles
may also be shown as Rubeola.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Q: How many doses of Hepatitis B are required for entry to Rowan University?
A: According to NJ immunization regulations and Rowan University policy, the 3-dose Hepatitis
B series, or age appropriate 2-dose series, is required for all students taking 12 credits or
more. The following minimum intervals have been deemed acceptable by the NJ Department of
Health and CDC:
● The minimum interval between the first and second dose:
○ 1 month or 4 weeks or 28 days after the first dose
● There are three minimum intervals that must be met for the third dose:
○ 4 months or 16 weeks or 112 days after first dose
○ 2 months or 8 weeks or 56 days after second dose
○ 6 months or 24 weeks or 168 days after birth
Q: I have not received the Hepatitis B series and won’t be able to complete by the
submission deadline?
Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations
and Wellness Center Requirements
A: If you have one or none of the Hepatitis B immunizations, New Jersey State Law allows you
up to 6 months from your enrollment date to complete the series. If you have documentation of
two immunizations you are allowed up to 4 months from your enrollment date to complete the
series. The additional grace period allowed by New Jersey State Law is not meant for you to
delay receiving the Hepatitis B immunizations you are eligible to receive according to the
minimal intervals listed in the above question. Students submitting incomplete Hepatitis B
records that do not follow the minimal intervals will be regarded as non-compliant and subject to
a late fee.
Meningococcal Vaccine (Meningitis)
Q: Is meningitis vaccine required for entry into Rowan?
A: Yes, the Meningococcal ACWY (Menactra®, Menveo®, or MenQuadfi®) is required. You will
not be allowed to move into housing if you have not submitted appropriate meningitis vaccine
documentation. Meningococcal ACWY, dated on or after the student’s 16
th
birthday is required
for all students 18 years and younger. It is also required for individuals with certain high risk
conditions as indicated on the Online Wellness Center Requirements form.
Meningococcal B (Bexsero® or Trumenba®) is recommended for all students and required for
individuals with certain high risk conditions as indicated on the Online Wellness Center
Requirements form.
Tuberculosis Testing
Q: What is a tuberculosis test and do I need one?
A: As of May 15th, 2024, all international students are required to have an IGRA (Quantiferon
Gold or TSpot) blood test performed in the United States prior to the beginning of their first
semester if they were born in or have traveled for more than a month to any of the countries
listed below. Additionally, every student must complete a Online Tuberculosis Questionnaire as
a part of the Wellness Center Requirements. Students must submit the lab results from an IGRA
blood test performed in the United States dated within 12 months prior to the start of classes if
they answer yes to any of the screening questions.
Q: What countries are included in the tuberculosis testing requirement?
A: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Anguilla, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus,
Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana,
Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central
African Republic, Chad, China, China Hong Kong SAR, China Macao SAR, Colombia,
Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini,
Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations
and Wellness Center Requirements
Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati,
Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania,
Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico,
Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru,
Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Pakistan, Palau, Panama,
Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of
Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra
Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan,
Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu,
Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela
(Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Q: I am not a US citizen and I was not born in one of the countries listed above?
A: Students who are born in a country of low risk for tuberculosis may apply for a IGRA waiver
on the Wellness Center patient portal after completing the Online Tuberculosis Questionnaire.
Q: Where can I get an IGRA test for tuberculosis?
A: Rowan University will perform this test during orientation prior to the start of the semester,
free of charge. Clinic times will be communicated by the International Office well in advance of
the August or January orientation. If testing is required after this period, students will be referred
to a partner lab where they can use insurance or pay out of pocket. Contact the Wellness
Center for more information at 856-256-4333.
Q: What if my IGRA is positive? What are the next steps?
A: Students with a positive IGRA must get a chest xray and submit the radiology report to the
Wellness Center. Students will complete a TB risk assessment after submitting the report. After
obtaining a chest xray the student must meet with a medical provider to discuss treatment
options. Contact the Wellness Center with any questions at 856-256-4333.
Q: What if I have had a past positive tuberculosis test?
A: Students with a history of positive tuberculosis testing in the past should not be retested, but
must submit a chest xray report from the past 12 months and complete a risk assessment. If you
have had treatment in the past, you must submit medical records confirming treatment to the
Wellness Center.
Tdap Vaccine
Q: Is Tdap required for entry into Rowan?
Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations
and Wellness Center Requirements
A: Tdap, the common name for a combination vaccine containing Tetanus, Diphtheria &
Pertussis, is strongly recommended for all students. Tdap is required for students participating
in NCAA Athletics. Students must have received the vaccine within 10 years of entrance to
Rowan.
Recommended Vaccines
Q: What other vaccines are recommended?
A: The Wellness Center recommends all students stay current with the CDC vaccination
guidelines including COVID-19, Influenza, HPV, and Hepatitis A. Influenza vaccines will be
available to students during the Fall and Winter at no cost.
