How can I submit PDF copies of my lab reports (proof of immunity) and physical forms?
What are common mistakes that are made submitting my paperwork? What are reasons that my paperwork might be denied?

Your name is not formally included as a patient identifier on lab reports.
Your provider ordered the wrong test. Ensure that a quantitative Hepatitis B antibody is drawn NOT a qualitative antibody nor a Hepatitis B antigen.

I can’t find my records and my doctor’s office has closed permanently.  What do I do?  

Check with your high school or undergraduate institution.

If you are unsuccessful in locating your immunization records perform antibody blood tests (titers) at a physician’s office, walk in clinic or retail lab facility to prove immunity. You will need to provide the actual laboratory report with IgG results and reference ranges for Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella. Your lab report should show positive immunity for compliance. If your laboratory report does not show immunity, you will be required to receive the two dose series, at least 4 weeks apart.

You need to provide documentation of having received 1 dose of adult Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, in the past 10 years.

You need to provide a copy of the actual lab report for your quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody. Any student entering in the Medicine, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Audiology programs are required to have their Hepatitis B Surface Antibody if they have completed the Hepatitis B vaccine series. The purpose of this test is to verify that you built the protective antibody with the vaccine series.

I do not have my local address in St. Louis yet, what do I enter on the form?

Please provide your local St. Louis address and phone number when you know it.

When should I start gathering my immunization records and tests?

Newly admitted students should begin this process as soon as possible to allow ample time to gather health information, complete necessary bloodwork and receive needed immunizations.

We recommend that you receive your physical, immunizations, titers, and Tuberculin tests before you arrive since many health insurance plans cover costs or so you can plan your personal costs.  

Students unable to receive immunizations/titers/Tuberculosis tests before arriving on campus must arrange for immunizations and payment in the local area.

What type of immunization documentation and reports are considered acceptable?

You will need to provide written documentation in English that includes your name as a patient identifier. A screenshot of your online chart without your full name captured on the screen will not be accepted.

We will require the actual laboratory reports of titers or TB blood testing. Documentation of the result alone, will not be accepted.

Where can I obtain a physical or needed vaccine?
  • Primary Care office
  • Many retail pharmacies, Walgreens or CVS
  • Your current Student Health Service
  • Barnes Care Health Service – Please call (314) 747-5800 for an appointment
  • SHS does not maintain a list of places that offers vaccinations.
What type of “Physical “exam is required, does my provider have to use the form provided by Student Health?

You must provide a physical exam from the past 12 months from the date of the deadline is July 15, 2023 to July 15, 2024. You may use our physical form as a convenience to make sure everything is addressed, however, we will also accept any form that your provider uses as long as they assess all your systems, such as heart, lungs, etc. Exam documentation that consists of a one line statement “may participate in school activities” or a “sports” physical is not acceptable.
The “PAP” exam may be deferred but if you have had a “PAP” exam in the last three years, please add a copy for your health record.

Can Student Health perform my new student physical exam?

No, the physical exam is a pre-matriculation requirement and must be completed prior to the deadline. You can obtain a physical exam at the Walgreens Express clinic, CVS Minute Clinic or Total Access Urgent Care to name a few options.

How can I optimize my health away from home?

Review important components of your health history including current medications, conditions that may recur, and allergies.
It is recommended that you bring three months of your medication, including contraceptive medication with you so you will have enough time to establish care with the primary Student Health physician.

My records are in another language. Are these ok to submit?

No, records must be submitted in English (originally) or translated by a licensed professional translation service. JR Translation Services is one option for medical translation, but students are welcome to use any licensed service.

What is the deadline for completion of the admission health requirements?

All completed forms must be completed in entirety and returned to Student Health Service by July 15th . Admissions prior to August 1, return forms one month prior to arrival.  Forms not completed by deadline subject to late fee.

The vaccine/test or exam that I need is not available in my country, what should I do?

When you arrive in the US, you may seek care a Walgreens, CVS etc. for vaccines, and look online to make an appointment. Barnes Care is a local clinic that is not affiliated with us but will see our students and provide testing and vaccinations without requiring a doctor’s order. Their phone number is (314)747-5800. They are located at 5000 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, Missouri. They do not accept outside insurance and payment is required at the time of your appointment.

Will details of my medical care be kept absolutely confidential, even from my parents?

Missouri state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protect the confidentiality of communications between health professionals and their patients. At the Student Health Service, will not discuss information about you with other without your written consent except as required by law.

What type of titer should I present for Hepatitis B immunity?

Ensure that you provide a quantitative titer to Student Health Services! There are two major types of Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAB) Tests: qualitative (i.e. present or absent) and quantitative (specific standardized antibody level). Although both assays are testing for HbsAB, they are not interchangeable.
Also ensure that your provider performs an antibody test, not an antigen test, as that is a common error.

My quantitative hepatitis B antibody titer demonstrates that I am not immune, but I have had the entire series, in childhood, what should I do?
Healthcare professionals who test negative after completing their first Hepatitis B series are to obtain one challenge dose of Hepatitis B, then retest for antibodies, If the result is positive, then you will considered immune. If negative, you proceed by receiving the next dose in the series and then retest. If the result is positive, then you should be considered immune.
When is the Student Health Service open?

We are open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday thru Friday.  We are closed on the weekends and during University holidays.

What happens if I do not submit my information by the deadlines?

These forms and immunity evidence must be returned to the Student Health Service by July 15. Admissions prior to August 1, return all forms one month prior to arrival. Paperwork received after the deadline is subject to the late fee of $95.

I am unable to submit my vaccine records by the deadline, should I contact SHS?

No. Contacting us does not change the requirements or extend the deadline.

Why isn’t my immunization history sufficient for proof of immunity?

WUSM adheres to the guidelines of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for healthcare workers, which state that proof of immunity must be verified via blood titers for Hepatitis B.

If I need blood titers, why should I submit my immunization history?

Immunization dates are important in the event that your blood titers are negative.  Each required titer has a specific number of doses needed to complete the series.

What type of Tuberculin testing do I need?

You must have a Tuberculin (TB) test within 3 months prior to starting school. This can be a 2-step TB skin test, the first in the past 12 months (July 15, 2023-July 15, 2024) and the 2nd within 3 months prior to starting school (April 15, 2024 – paperwork due July 15, 2024) or a Tuberculin blood test, Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) within 3 months prior to starting school (April 15, 2024 – July 15, 2024). For the IGRA blood test, the Quantiferon Gold or T-spot blood test are both acceptable.

My Tuberculin (TB) skin test/ PPD is newly “positive”, what should I do? 

Since there are false positive TB skin tests, if your TB skin test was read by your provider as measuring over 10mm, you will need to have your provider order a confirmatory blood test for TB called an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA).  For the IGRA blood test, the Quantiferon Gold or T-spot blood test are both acceptable.

My Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) is newly positive or I have documentation of a positive IGRA in my past what should I do?

You will need to provide the actual laboratory report of your positive IGRA test, plus a copy of a chest x-ray report dated after the positive test result. (We do not want the actual chest x-ray film or disc.)
If you have taken treatment as a result of your positive test, please provide documentation from your provider or health department.

What if I get a message from Student Health that I need another vaccine or TB testing?

Our messages include detail about what is needed or why it is needed. If you do not have existing documentation then proceed to your provider, walk-in clinic, travel clinic, or retail drugstore clinic and show them what has been requested and why it has been requested. It is the expectation that you will have will give this your immediate attention and start the process as soon as possible.

What if I did not meet all the entrance requirements?

These forms and immunity evidence must be returned to the Student Health Service by July 15. Admissions prior to August 1, return all forms one month prior to arrival. Students that have not met the requirements will not be permitted on campus. Paperwork received after the deadline is subject to the late fee of $95.

I do not have documentation of Varicella (Chicken pox) (two doses are required) what should I do?

If you believe you have had two doses of Varicella vaccine, ask your provider to order blood test (titers) for varicella immunity, ensure that this is an IgG test not an IgM test. You will want to obtain a laboratory report with IgG results and reference ranges for Varicella. Your lab report should show positive immunity for compliance.
If your lab results show that you do not have laboratory evidence of immunity to varicella and you do not have documentation of two doses of varicella, then proceed to your provider, walk-in clinic, travel clinic, or retail drugstore clinic and request two doses of the varicella vaccine. Note, the doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

I have not been vaccinated for Varicella (chicken pox) and I am not sure if I had the disease. What do I do?

Ask your provider to order blood test (titers) for varicella immunity, ensure that this is an IgG test not an IgM test. You will want to obtain a laboratory report with IgG results and reference ranges for Varicella. Your lab report should show positive immunity for compliance.
If the blood test does not show immunity, you will need documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine given at least four weeks apart.

I had two doses of Varicella vaccine, four weeks apart but my varicella titer does not show immunity to varicella, what do I do?

If you have documentation of two varicella vaccine doses, given according to national immunization guidelines, you do not need to do anything further.

I had chicken pox as a child, do I still need the vaccine?

Ask your provider to order blood test (titers) for varicella immunity, ensure that this is an IgG test not an IgM test. You will want to obtain a laboratory report with IgG results and reference ranges for Varicella.  Your lab report should show positive immunity for compliance.

If the blood test does not show immunity, you will need documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine given at least one month apart.

My laboratory report for Measles and/or Mumps and/or Rubella titers do not show evidence of immunity (the result is negative), what should I do?   

If your laboratory results show that you do not have laboratory evidence of immunity to any or all diseases (e.g., measles, mumps, and rubella) and do not have records of having had two doses of the MMR, you will still need vaccinated with MMR vaccine, since the vaccine is not available as a single antigen product in the United States.  If you have not had the required two doses of MMR vaccine or your titers show that you do not have immunity then proceed to your provider, walk-in clinic, travel clinic, or retail drugstore clinic and show them what has been requested  to obtain the missing dose(s) of MMR vaccine. Note the doses must be given at least 4 weeks apart.

I do not have documentation of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccines (two doses are required) what should I do?

If you believe you have had two doses of MMR vaccine, ask your provider to order blood tests (titers) for measles, mumps and rubella immunity, ensure that you obtain an IgG test (not an IgM test.) You will need to provide a laboratory report with IgG results and reference ranges for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Your lab report should show positive immunity for compliance.