Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

Students* born on or after January 31, 1957, and enrolled for six credits or more in one semester, are required by New York State Public Health Law § 2165 to provide Pace University with proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella within thirty days of the first scheduled day of classes in the first semester in which they are enrolled:

Proof of Immunity.  There are several forms of acceptable proof of immunity, but only one form of proof of immunity for each disease is required.

Measles.  Proof of immunity to measles may be established by one of the following forms of immunity:

  • The student must submit proof of two doses of live measles vaccine: the first dose given no more than four days prior to the student's first birthday and the second at least twenty-eight days after the first dose; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to measles. This means the demonstration of measles antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner that the student has had measles disease; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within ten years from the date of application to the University. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services; or
  • If a student is unable to access his/her immunization record from a health care provider or previous school, documentation that proves the student attended primary or secondary school in the United States after 1980 will be sufficient proof that the student received one dose of live measles vaccine. If this option is used, the second dose of measles vaccine must have been administered within one year of attendance at the University.

Mumps. Proof of immunity to mumps may be established by one of the following forms of proof of immunity;

  • The student must submit proof of one dose of live mumps vaccine given no more than four days prior to the student's first birthday; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to mumps. This means the demonstration of mumps antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner that the student has had mumps disease; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within ten years from the date of application to the University. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the University pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

Rubella. Proof of immunity to rubella may be established by one of the following forms of proof of immunity:

  • The student must submit proof of one dose of live rubella vaccine given no more than four days prior to the student's first birthday; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to rubella. This means the demonstration of rubella antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within ten years from the date of application to the University. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the University pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

Beginning on the thirty-first day after classes begin, students who failed to provide one form of proof of immunity as described above for each disease will not be permitted to continue their attendance at the University**.  Attendance means the physical presence of the student at the University. Thus, students who fail to provide one form of proof of immunity for each disease by the thirty-day deadline will not be permitted, for example, to be on campus, or attend classes or any other curricular or extracurricular events, or be present in University housing. The time period may be extended to forty-five days if a student is from out of state or from another country and can show a good faith effort to comply with the requirements above of New York State Public Health Law § 2165, or when a disease outbreak occurs. If an extension is granted by the University, students who have not complied with New York State Public Health Law § 2165 by the forty-fifth day will not be permitted to continue their attendance at the University beginning on the forty-sixth day after classes began.

Students who are restricted from in-person presence/attendance due to non-compliance are responsible for all charges incurred during the semester up to the date they are administratively withdrawn. 

Students who do not provide one form of immunity for each disease as identified above within thirty days but are enrolled only in online courses, will be permitted to continue their online courses but will not be permitted for any reason to be on campus, or attend classes or any other curricular or extracurricular events, or be present in University housing.

Exemptions from Immunization Requirements

There are circumstances under which a student may be exempt from immunization requirements.

Medical Exemption

If a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife caring for a pregnant student, certifies in writing that the student has a health condition which is a valid contraindication to receiving a specific vaccine, then a permanent or temporary (for resolvable conditions such as pregnancy) exemption from the immunization requirements may be granted by the University. The certification must specify those immunizations which may be detrimental and the length of time they may be detrimental. In the event of an outbreak of measles, mumps or rubella, medically exempt individuals may be excluded from classes and other curricular and extracurricular events, University housing, and/or campus in order to protect them from exposure.

Religious Exemption

A student may be exempt from vaccination if, in the opinion of the University, the student or the parent or guardian of a student less than eighteen years old holds genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practice of immunization. The student requesting exemption from the immunization requirements may or may not be a member of an established religious organization. Requests for exemptions must be in writing and signed by the student if eighteen years of age or older, or the student’s parent or guardian if the student is under eighteen. The University may, in its sole discretion, require documents that support the request for a religious exemption. In the event of an outbreak of measles, mumps or rubella, religiously exempt individuals may be excluded from classes and other curricular and extracurricular events, University housing, and/or campus in order to protect them from exposure.

*

As defined by PHL Section 2165 (1)(b) and 10 NYCRR Subpart 66-2.1(b), "student" means any person born on or after January 1, 1957, who is registered to attend or attends classes at an institution, whether full-time or part-time, in a degree granting institution. "Part-time student" means a student enrolled for at least six, but less than 12 semester hours, or the equivalent per semester or at least four but less than eight semester hours per quarter. "Full-time student" means a student enrolled for 12 or more semester hours or the equivalent per semester, or 8 or more semester hours per quarter. It does not exclude students who are not in a degree/certificate program.

**

Students are no longer administratively withdrawn.  They lose access to campus.  Student's who are not compliant will have their campus access restricted/revoked.