To complete the matriculation process, all students must submit (upload to their portal):
- Completed medical files documenting completion of a physical exam (Student Health Status Form),
- Immunizations (vaccines and/or titer results), flu shots, and tuberculosis screening (skin test or blood titer). Specifically, all students must submit (upload to their portal) documented laboratory proof of the absence of tuberculosis and proof of immunizations against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (chicken pox), Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap), and Hepatitis B. All students must prove the efficacy of their immunizations through blood titers if they do not have a record of vaccinations or if a particular college/program or clinical site requires blood titers which measures the level of circulating antibodies associated with these various diseases.
- Note: Veterinary Medicine students do not need proof of immunity against Hepatitis B, but are required to show documented laboratory proof of rabies vaccinations or appropriate blood titer levels for rabies antibodies prior to matriculation.
While enrolled, all students must:
- Check with their individual college/program for specifics on whether blood titers or other immunization data is required for their clinical rotations. Depending on the college/program, students may also be required to submit to a drug screen;
- Must inform their college/program if they have a communicable disease as it may directly impact patient contact and classroom/laboratory attendance; and
- Update their Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) if it expires (good for 10 years) and proof of the absence of tuberculosis (required yearly for some programs) and must receive an annual seasonal influenza vaccination. Other vaccinations may be required based on rotation site needs or other circumstances, such as pandemics.
Cost for these requirements must be paid by the student, but many insurance plans cover these costs. Any reimbursement from an insurance plan is a matter between the student and their insurance carrier. Immunization clinics for some vaccinations/inoculations may be provided on both campuses to assist students with their compliance requirements. Information on immunizations, titers, and immunization clinics is provided through the Office of Student Services and/or the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic.
Students who fail to comply with mandatory immunization requirements may face immediate academic sanctions. Non-compliance may result in removal from classes, suspension from clinical rotations, or placement on an involuntary administrative leave of absence. Any of these actions can disrupt academic progression and delay the student's graduation.