Immunization Policy

All students born after December 31, 1956 are required to provide documentation of two MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccinations received after the first birthday. This information must be on file before a student is permitted to register.

MMR vaccinations are available at the Student Health Center for $15.00 per dose. The second dose can be given no sooner than four weeks after the first. If no documentation is available titers can be done to prove immunity. The current price for titers is measles: $27.00  mumps: $38.00  rubella: $29.00.

Requests for immunization exemption can be made at the Health Center. Exemptions can be based on medical, religious, or personal grounds. They will result in expulsion from campus during suspected disease outbreaks and may result in ineligibility for certain university sponsored activities.

International students, faculty and visiting scholars from countries at risk will be required to have a tuberculosis skin test (PPD). This test must be done at the Student Health Center after arrival at PLU. The cost is $20.00. All positive tests are required by the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department to be evaluated by a chest x-ray to rule out active disease.

MMR vaccinations and PPD testing must be done at the same time or at least four weeks apart. International students needing MMR vaccination are asked to get them at least four weeks before arrival or to wait until after arrival so the vaccination can coincide with the PPD test.

Recommended Immunizations

Students are encouraged, but not required, to be up to date on their tetanus immunization (preferably with the newer tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis); to have completed the hepatitis B series (three doses); and to have been immunized against meningitis especially if they will be living in a residence hall.

For students traveling abroad immunization against hepatitis A is recommended for most countries with the exception of Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the countries of western Europe.