Health/Immunization Requirements

The Student Health Center wants to ensure you have a safe and healthy experience as an HU graduate student. After you have completed the first step in the enrollment process (paid your student enrollment deposit) and set up your email account (once it has been provisioned) you will need to submit your health clearance documentation to Howard University’s Student Health Center via the HU Student Health Portal. Click on the yellow button directly below, "Submit Your Health Records," when you are ready to submit your documentation to the HU Student Health Portal. 

Mandatory immunizations and health screenings are based on District of Columbia Law as well as guidance from the CDC and the American College Health Association. Health and immunization requirements vary based on a student’s age and program of study. See the section below, "Health Requirements by Student Population," to view the documentation you will need to submit.

The Office of Graduate School Student Affairs has compiled this webpage so that you are familiar with the University’s medical clearance/immunization requirements. You can also refer to the Student Health website to help facilitate the completion of these requirements.

Clearing a Medical Hold

  • If you do not complete your health requirements documentation by the given deadline, the Student Health Center will place a hold on your student account. Medical holds may prevent class registration, cause delays in the processing of your financial aid package, and prevent you from obtaining your Bison One student ID card.

  • To lift the medical hold on your student account, you must meet all requirements for medical clearance. Incoming students must submit the relevant records and/or medical clearance-related forms online through the HU Student Health Portal, which is a HIPAA and FERPA-compliant electronic platform.

  • Please note that you must download and use the relevant medical forms found under the Health Portal and provide them to your medical provider, if applicable. Forms found outside of the HU Student Health Portal are not current, and submitting external forms may delay lifting a medical hold that may have been placed.

Submit Your Health Records Student Health Website

Health Requirements by Student Population

Students Under the Age of 26

The District of Columbia requires all students under the age of 26 newly enrolled at the University to show proof of certain immunizations and submit the following documentation:

  • Proof of certain immunizations (see Immunization Requirements section below) or proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines noted on the relevant HU Student Health Portal forms. Health Sciences/Medical students* under the age of 26 are required to show proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines.

  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire: If you have a positive TB screening, you must provide proof of a TB test (i.e., Quantiferon Gold Blood Test) and upload this documentation to the HU Student Health Portal. If your Quantiferon Gold Blood TB test result is positive, you will need to have a chest x-ray to make sure you do not have active tuberculosis. You must upload your X-ray report showing a normal (negative) chest X-ray. If your TB test result is negative, you do not need to do anything further.

  • All documents must be submitted through the HU Student Health Portal.

*Health Sciences/Medical students are designated as students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy.

All Health Sciences/Medical Students

All Health Sciences and Medical students* (regardless of age) newly enrolled at the University are required to show proof of certain immunizations and submit the following documentation:

  • All Health Sciences and Medical students* (regardless of age) are required to provide proof of certain immunizations (see immunization requirements section). Health Sciences/Medical students are required to show proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines noted on the relevant HU Student Health Portal forms.

  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire: If you have a positive TB screening, you must provide proof of a TB test (i.e., Quantiferon Gold Blood Test) and upload this documentation to the HU Student Health Portal. If your Quantiferon Gold Blood TB test result is positive, you will need to have a chest x-ray to make sure you do not have active tuberculosis. You must upload your X-ray report showing a normal (negative) chest X-ray. If your TB test result is negative, you do not need to do anything further.

  • All documents must be submitted through the HU Student Health Portal.

*Health Sciences/Medical students are designated as students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy.

Non-Health Sciences Students Age 26 and Older

Non-Health Sciences students who are 26 years of age and older only need to submit the following documentation:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire: If you have a positive TB screening, you must provide proof of a TB test (i.e., Quantiferon Gold Blood Test) and upload this documentation to the HU Student Health Portal. If your Quantiferon Gold Blood TB test result is positive, you will need to have a chest x-ray to make sure you do not have active tuberculosis. You must upload your X-ray report showing a normal (negative) chest X-ray. If your TB test result is negative, you do not need to do anything further.

  • All documents must be submitted through the HU Student Health Portal.

*Health Sciences/Medical students are designated as students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy.

Immunization Requirements

Only students under the age of 26 or Health Sciences/Medical students (students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy) must provide proof of the required vaccinations identified below. For non-Health Sciences/Medical students under the age of 26, serologic titers which document immunity to Varicella, Hepatitis B and Measles, Mumps, and Rubella are acceptable in place of vaccines. 

All Health Sciences/Medical students (students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy), regardless of age, are required to show proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines noted on the relevant HU Student Health Portal forms.

Required Vaccinations

  1. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) dose 1 given after one year of age or proof of immunity by serum titers/lab work
  2. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) dose 2 given at least 4 weeks after MMR dose 1 or proof of immunity by serum titers/lab work
  3. Hepatitis B Vaccine Series (three doses) or proof of immunity by serum titers/lab work
    • Hepatitis B dose 1
    • Hepatitis B dose 2 given at least 4 weeks after dose 1
    • Hepatitis B dose 3 given at least 8 weeks after dose 2 
      OR
    • Hepatitis B series given according to the CDC Hepatitis accelerated schedule (2 doses are accepted)
  4. Varicella (Chicken Pox) dose 1 given after one year of age or proof of immunity by serum titers/lab work
  5. Varicella (Chicken Pox) dose 2 given at least 4 weeks after Varicella dose 1 or proof of immunity by serum titers/lab work
  6. Tetanus-Diphtheria booster or Tdap Vaccine given within the past 10 years as an adult
  7. Meningococcal Vaccine (booster required if given before the age of 16)
  8. Polio Vaccine Series (required only for students under the age of 18) – 3 doses
  9. Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire or documentation of a negative chest X-ray (if there is a history of positive PPD)

How to Submit Your Records

To properly submit your health records and documentation, please review the Student Health website for specific instructions on how to upload your records to the HU Student Health Portal. Only Student Health Portal forms will be accepted. 

Once you have paid the enrollment fee/deposit and you have been assigned an HU email and student ID number, to get started on submitting your health records and supporting documents, please log onto the HU Student Health Portal.

Medical or Religious Exemption

Requests for medical and religious exemptions from Howard University’s immunization requirements can be submitted through the HU Student Health Portal for review. Students seeking exemption should follow these guidelines:

  • If certain immunizations are contraindicated due to a medical condition, you may be exempt from immunization requirements. You will need to submit a signed statement or certification of medical exemption from your primary care provider.
  • You may also be exempt from immunizations due to your religious beliefs. In this case, you should submit documentation signed by a clergy member providing reasons for the exemption.
  • If you are approved for an exemption from vaccination requirements, it is recommended that you present evidence of immunity by serum titers/ lab work where acceptable.

Questions about exemptions can be emailed to studenthealthforms@howard.edu.

Health/Immunization Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Answers to your health/immunization requirements frequently asked questions

I cannot access the HU Student Health Portal. What can I do?

You will need to have access to your HU student email account in order to access the HU Student Health Portal. For more information about how to set up your HU student email, please review your admissions offer email. Please contact the HU Helpdesk regarding issues with obtaining your HU student email. Once you have your HU email set up, you can log in to the HU Student Health Portal.

I am a student enrolled in the Graduate School. Do I need to complete the documented immunization requirements?

This depends. Non-Health Sciences/Medical students 26 years of age and older only need to submit the required Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire.

However, non-Health Sciences/Medical students under the age of 26, are required to provide proof of certain immunizations (see immunization requirements section) or proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines noted on the relevant HU Student Health Portal forms, in addition to completing the required TB Screening Questionnaire.

All Health Sciences/Medical students (students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy), regardless of age, are required to show proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines noted on the relevant HU Student Health Portal forms, in addition to completing the required TB Screening Questionnaire.

I am a student enrolled in the MS in Applied Data Science and Analytics program within the Graduate School, which is an online program. Am I required to complete the immunization/health requirements?

Online students enrolled in the Graduate School’s M.S. in Applied Data Science and Analytics program are exempt from submitting the immunization/health requirements. All other students enrolled in the Graduate School must fulfill the requirements noted for the relevant student population.

I am over the age of 26. Do I still need to complete the Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire?

Yes. All students, regardless of age, are screened for Tuberculosis risk by completing the Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire within the HU Student Health Portal. The screening questions are consistent with the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and the American College Health Association. Depending on the responses to those questions, some students will also need to complete a Tuberculosis test.

If I complete the Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire and the results show a positive TB screening, am I required to complete a TB test and show proof of a negative result?

Yes, if you have a positive TB screening, you must provide proof of a TB test (i.e., Quantiferon Gold Blood Test) and upload this documentation to the HU Student Health Portal. If your Quantiferon Gold Blood TB test result is positive, you will need to have a chest x-ray to make sure you do not have active tuberculosis. You must upload your X-ray report showing a normal (negative) chest X-ray. If your TB test result is negative, you do not need to do anything further.

I am over the age of 26. Do I still need to complete the documented immunization requirements?

This depends. If you are a Non-Health Sciences/Medical student, then you only need to complete the Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire.

However, Health Sciences and Medical students (students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy), regardless of age, must complete the documented immunization requirements and show proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines noted on the relevant HU Student Health Portal forms, in addition to completing the required Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire.

I am part of a student population that is required to submit immunization records. However, my records are no longer available from my doctor’s office. What can I do?

Non-Health Sciences/Medical Students: You can contact your previous high school/college, medical providers or your parents for your records (Learn how to locate your childhood immunization records). If these options are not available to you or if you do not have access to your prior immunization records, you will need to have a blood test called a blood titer to prove immunity to the following required immunizations: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (Chicken Pox).* A blood titer will show if you have either had the disease in the past, or have immunity based on prior vaccination. If your results show that you do not have immunity, you will need to be vaccinated to fulfill the requirement.

The following immunizations are not able to be tested for immunity and would need to be obtained prior to your medical hold being lifted: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) and Meningococcal.

*All Health Sciences/Medical students (students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy) are required to show proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines noted on the relevant HU Student Health Portal forms.

What is a titer? What is a titer lab report?

A titer is a laboratory test that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in the blood. A titer may be used to prove immunity to disease. A blood sample is taken and tested. If the test is positive (above a particular known value), the individual has immunity. If the test is negative (no immunity) or equivocal (not enough immunity), you need to be vaccinated. A Titer Lab Report is generated by the lab that tested the blood sample.

The state or country where I am from has different immunization requirements than what is required by the District of Columbia. Shouldn’t these be accepted?

Students must comply with the District of Columbia’s immunization requirements (follow HU immunization requirements guidelines) regardless of their home state or country’s immunization requirements.  If there are any immunizations required by the University that you are missing, you should arrange to receive these prior to your enrollment and submit updated records via HU Student Health Portal.

I did not have the Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccination because I contracted the Chicken Pox. What do I need to do?

If you did not have the Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccination but had the disease, you will need to provide physician documentation of the disease (including the month and year of disease). Otherwise, you will need to obtain blood titer results for Varicella (Chicken Pox). 

However, all Health Sciences/Medical students (students enrolled in the College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy), are required to show proof of immunity by serum titers for the relevant vaccines noted on the relevant HU Student Health Portal forms.

How do I know if my documentation has been accepted?

You can log into the HU Student Health Portal to check your immunization status. Please allow some weeks for processing of your information before checking your status via the Student Health Portal. 

Are students required to pay a fee to gain access to the HU Student Health Portal to submit documentation?

No, there is no fee for access to the HU Student Health Portal and to submit the required documentation.

What do I need to do if I wish to be exempted from receiving immunizations due to my medical history or religious beliefs?

Requests for medical and religious exemptions from Howard University’s immunization requirements can be submitted through the HU Student Health Portal for review. Please review the section of this website on Medical or Religious Exemption for more information. Any questions about the exemption can be emailed to studenthealthforms@howard.edu.