Sarah Lawrence College

IMMUNIZATION POLICY

Immunization Requirements:

In accordance with New York State Public Health Law, Section 2165 and 2167, all students attending Sarah Lawrence College who were born on or after January 1, 1957 must provide acceptable written proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella in accordance with standards approved by the New York State Department of Health.

In addition, each student will show evidence of vaccination for meningitis with the Meningitis conjugate vaccine within the 5 years prior to the initial start date of classes OR completion of the Meningitis B series OR completion of the Meningitis response form, declining the vaccine with knowledge of the disease risks.

Acceptable proof of immunity for MMR/Meningitis: consists of a Certificate of Immunization, defined as a document prepared by a health practitioner who administers an immunization, which specifies the products administered and the dates of administration. It may also show physician-verified history of disease and/or laboratory evidence of immunity. It may also be an immunization record submitted by an institution or school which the student previously attended, which specified the products administered and the dates of administration and whose source was a certificate of immunization from a health practitioner. Students must submit this certificate of immunization or equivalent to the Health & Wellness Center and document at least partial compliance with the immunization requirements before they will be permitted to register for classes. Partial compliance shall be defined as one dose of measles, mumps, and rubella immunization.

In addition, proof of an honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years prior to the date of application to Sarah Lawrence College shall also quality as a certificate enabling a student to attend classes pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services

Enforcement for MMR/Meningitis: Students who are in partial compliance will be notified by the Director of Medical Services that they will be excluded from their classes if they do not fully comply with the immunization requirements. If the student has received one does of MMR and has an appointment for the second dose no more than 90 days from dose #1, they are in considered “in the process” and allowed to attend classes as they are in “partial compliance.” Failure to complete the second immunization will result in a notification by the Director of Medical Services and the Dean of Students and the student will be excluded from classes without tuition refund.

A student will be considered “in the process” of complying with PHL 2167 regarding meningococcal disease until the 30 day grace period has elapsed. The 30 day grace period can be extended to 60 days if the student shows good faith effort to comply.  Failure to complete the immunization or waiver form will result in a notification by the Director of Medical Services and the Dean of Students and the student will be excluded from classes without tuition refund.

MMR/Meningitis Vaccine availability: Students who cannot afford immunizations will be directed to the Westchester County Health Department for information regarding immunization clinics.

Students will also be given local walk-in clinics and urgent care centers who offer immunizations.

Exemptions: Students may request a temporary or permanent medical exemption from any or all of these requirements if a licensed physician or nurse practitioner certifies in writing that the student has a health condition which is a valid contraindication to receiving a specific vaccine. The requested medical exemption must have a length of time for which the medical exemption is in place. Temporary medical exemptions will be reviewed upon expiration date to determine if continued conditions still exist. All documentation requesting to be considered for an exemption will be submitted to the Health & Wellness Center.

Students may be granted a religious exemption, if in the opinion of the College the student (if over the age 18) or student’s parents (if student is under the age of 18) holds a genuine and sincere religious belief which are contrary to the practice of immunization. The request for a religious exemption must be in written in first person, dated and signed by the student (if over the age of 18) or parent (if student is under age 18) and include significant information to determine validity. The college holds the right to require supporting documentation. Standardized forms are not utilized by institutions of higher education.

All exemption documentation will be submitted to the Health & Wellness Center. Students will be subsequently notified of the Colleges determination regarding acceptance/denial of the requested exemption.

Active Disease of MMR or Meningitis: Should a suspected case of measles, mumps, or rubella occur on a campus, the Director of Medical or designee will evaluate the case in conjunction with the County Health Department and the Health & Wellness Center medical clinicians. While awaiting serological confirmation, immunization records will be reviewed and susceptible individuals identified. If the suspected case is confirmed, the Director of Medical or designee will notify all susceptible students and staff to be immunized. Susceptible students who are unable to be immunized may be excluded from campus and classes. Relocation off campus will be at the students expense, without consideration for a refund for tuition (missed classes), room/board and other services missed due to this exclusion.

Returning to campus will only be allowed once the Department of Health has determined it is safe to do so.

Active Disease of COVID-19: On March 1, 2024, Sarah Lawrence College adjusted its management of students who test positive for COVID-19 in alignment with the updated CDC guidance which no longer requires a 5-day isolation period. Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to self-isolate, staying out of classes and public spaces until symptoms are improving overall and they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication (Tylenol, Ibuprofen etc.). Everyone is asked to take precautions (e.g. wear a mask when around other) when experiencing any respiratory symptoms

MEASLES, MUMPS AND RUBELLA IMMUNIZATION POLICY

In accordance with New York State Public Health Law 2165 (Article 21, Title VI), all students, born on or after January 1, 1957, must provide the Health & Wellness Center with DOCUMENTED evidence of vaccination or immunity against MEASLES, MUMPS AND RUBELLA. Proof must be submitted before completing the registration process.

All students must be in full compliance with the Public Health Law. However, as per NYS regulations, students who are in the process of receiving immunization or waiting for serologic evidence of immunity, may be allowed to continue to attend school for a medically acceptable (certain) period of time (see temporary waiver).

Students registering must show proof /documentation of the following:

MEASLES:

• Two doses of live measles vaccine. The first dose must have been received no more than 4 days prior to the student’s first birthday and the second dose no less than 28 days after the first dose. The first dose must have been received on or after January 1, 1968. Immunization prior to January 1, 1968 will be accepted if the Health Care Provider certifies a live vaccine was used.

or:

Physician documentation of disease.

or:

Serologic evidence of immunity.

MUMPS:

• One dose of live mumps vaccine administered no more than four days prior to the

student’s first birthday and on/or after January 1, 1969.

or:

Physician documentation of disease.

or:

Serologic evidence of immunity.

RUBELLA:

• One dose of live rubella vaccine administered no more than four days prior to the

student’s first birthday, and on/or after January 1, 1969.

or:

Serologic evidence of immunity.

Physician documentation of disease is not sufficient evidence of immunity for Rubella.