There is nothing more exciting than going to college for the very first time in your life, however, one of the things that many first-time college students find annoying is the sheer amount of college paperwork. Whether it is sending in test scores, transcripts, or letters of recommendation, another important form of paperwork that all colleges will require is your immunization records. Every year, millions of students enter colleges and universities and potentially carry the risk of exposing other students to a variety of transmittable diseases such as measles, chickenpox and hepatitis. However, the good news is that with being immunized, students reduce their risk of contracting these potentially deadly diseases. Here is an overview of why your college needs your immunization records.
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Why exactly do colleges and universities require immunization records?
Colleges and universities every year admit millions of people into their confines. A good percentage of these students decide to live in housing provided by the university or college. With this, there is a huge increase in the risk of students contracting transmittable diseases. These diseases can easily spread in communal showers, bathrooms, kitchens and other living areas that are common within dorm rooms and apartment complexes. With that being said, colleges and universities, as a precautionary means, will require all incoming students to provide a record of their immunizations before being allowed to take classes.
How do I get a copy of my immunization records?
You can easily get a copy of this important form of college paperwork by going to your primary care physician, pediatrician or your family doctor and asking for a copy of your immunization paperwork. This will be necessary if you have gotten your immunizations done through any of these places. Your doctor will be able to provide a clear record of when you have been immunized for certain diseases and when these immunizations are set to expire. Once you get a copy of this from your doctor, also ask for the doctor or his or her secretary to write an official letter on their letterhead confirming your request to provide proof of immunizations. Make electronic and printed photocopies of these documents and send them your prospective college or university’s registrar’s office so they can update your record.
What happens next?
Once you send off the appropriate documentation to the college registrar’s office, you will be notified whether or not the information is complete. If your immunization record is up to date, you will be notified that you will not need to get any other immunizations until a certain time frame. If your immunization record is missing certain shots, you will be told which immunization you will need to get and by what time frame. Usually, most colleges and universities give students at least a semester or quarter in order to get this documentation. If you end up not meeting this deadline, you run the risk of not being able to register for classes, getting kicked out of college housing as well as being expelled from college altogether. It is important to provide your college or university with this information as soon as possible.
Do not even hesitate to get this important information over to your college as soon as possible. This is virtually a universal requirement among all colleges and universities. Immunization records are a very important form of college paperwork.
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