University of Maryland, College Park Immunization Policy

The University enforces a mandatory pre-matriculation immunization requirement to reduce the incidence and risk of vaccine-preventable disease in the university community. This policy meets the regulatory requirements of the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. It is also consistent with the recommendations for prematriculation immunizations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American College Health Association.

This policy applies to all undergraduate and graduate degree and non-degree seeking students, regardless of credit hours, taking courses on campus at the University’s main campus or any of its satellite locations. Students taking courses online, overseas, or at their place of employment if employment is off-campus, are exempt from this policy.

A. All students to whom this policy applies shall be required to provide proof of 2 MMR immunizations or 2 measles, 1 mumps, 1 rubella and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Td/Tdap) within the past 10 years. These immunization requirements do not apply to students born before 1957. Students living in on-campus residence halls must also provide proof of meningococcal vaccine within 5 years of matriculation, or sign the waiver on the University’s immunization form. 

B. An immunization form must be completed and returned to the Health Center prior to the first day of the initial semester of classes. 

C. Students in noncompliance with this requirement shall be unable to drop/add classes or register for their second semester. This restriction shall be lifted by the University Health Center upon receipt of the required information or the granting of an approved waiver as described in Section D. 

D. Exemptions:

1. A student who objects to immunization upon the grounds that it conflicts with his or her bonafide religious beliefs and practices may not be required to present a physician’s certificate of immunization in order to register for classes. A religious exemption may be obtained by submitting the request to the Director of the Health Center. In case of an epidemic or disease outbreak, declared by the State of Maryland Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene or his/her designee, the student must be immunized or not attend classes or functions on campus until the outbreak has resolved. 
2. A student may be exempted from an individual vaccine-specific immunization requirement if he or she presents a written statement from a licensed physician or a local deputy state health officer indicating that immunization is medically contraindicated. The physician’s statement shall state whether the contraindication is permanent or temporary. If temporary, the physician must provide a date by which the student will receive the vaccine and provide documentation when the immunization has been completed. Should there be an epidemic or disease outbreak that is pertinent to the student’s immunization status, the student cannot attend classes or functions on campus until the outbreak has resolved.