Your Guide to Health Requirements
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Health Requirements
Enter the immunization record dates for each immunization by clicking the Update buttons. Review and click Done when you are satisfied with each immunization record entry. Within one week, you will receive an email when your documents have been reviewed. If approved, your Patient Connect status will change to Satisfied and your compliance will update on the MyBU Student portal. If it’s been more than one week and your status has not updated, please contact us using Patient Connect to look into your status. To find your vaccine records, start by asking a parent/guardian if they have a record of your immunizations. If they do not, contact your healthcare provider. If you are a graduate student, you can request your medical record from your undergraduate school or previous institution. You can also contact your state’s health department. Some states and other countries have vaccine registries. To log on to Patient Connect, you will first need a BU email address and password, also known as a Kerberos account. Your Kerberos account is used to access online services throughout BU. Instructions on obtaining a Kerberos account are sent to students before they arrive on campus. If you did not receive these instructions, contact the Admissions Office (undergraduate students) or your program (graduate, professional, summer term, and CELOP students) directly. If you forgot your password, follow these instructions from BU IS&T.How do I upload my documents?
Submit your completed forms through Patient Connect. We cannot accept medical information via email.
What happens if I don’t complete my health requirements?
Students who do not meet the University’s health requirements by the deadline will have a compliance “hold” placed on their account that prevents them from being able to register for classes. In the event of a campus disease outbreak, non-immunized students may be required to leave campus.
Which international student populations must meet health requirements?
All international students studying on BU’s campuses must meet health requirements. This includes Visiting Scholars and CELOP students.
Who is required to meet clinical student health requirements?
Students who must comply with clinical student health requirements include:
After submitting documentation, please allow up to one week for your status to be updated. If it’s been more than one week and your status has not updated, please contact us using Patient Connect to look into your status. If your immunization records have been approved, but your overall status on the MyBU Student Portal is Not Compliant, you may be out of compliance for another reason. Return to the MyBU Student Portal to review your list of compliance items. If you have questions or the status persists, contact the University department affiliated with your non-compliance item. We recommend checking your compliance status every semester since requirements may change throughout your time at BU. You will not receive a notification if you go from compliant to non-compliant, so we recommend you review your medical immunization compliance status before it is time to register for classes.How do I check my compliance status?
Your immunization compliance status can be viewed in the Medical Clearances tab in Patient Connect.
Meanwhile, please upload the documentation for the immunizations that you do have. You can then schedule the rest of your immunizations at one of our on-campus immunization clinics at the beginning of the semester. You can also make an appointment to get an immunization at SHS or visit a Boston-area pharmacy. Students without the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) are charged a fee for receiving vaccines through SHS. Students can then submit for reimbursement to their insurance provider. If you receive immunizations through SHS, your health record will be automatically updated. If you receive immunizations elsewhere, you must upload your documentation by following the steps listed on this web page.I won't have all my immunizations by the time I arrive on campus. What should I do?
While we highly recommend immunization requirements be fulfilled before arrival on campus, we understand that not all students can obtain all immunizations at home. Incoming and transfer students have a grace period that ends seven days after the semester's first day of classes.
Can I get my required vaccines at SHS?
Yes! You can schedule an appointment or attend one of our immunization clinics held regularly on the Charles River and Medical Campuses. If you have SHIP, vaccines are free and covered by your insurance. If you have another health insurance plan, you will receive a charge on your student account that can be submitted for reimbursement to your insurance provider.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires vaccination to protect our community and minimize the spread of preventable disease. Waivers for immunizations will only be granted in certain circumstances:Can I submit a waiver for required immunizations?
Students seeking a religious waiver must state in writing that the required immunizations would conflict with their religious beliefs. Religious waivers are valid for 1 year and need to be submitted annually. To request a religious waiver, call 617-353-3575 or send us a message in Patient Connect.
Students seeking a medical waiver must have a healthcare provider certify that immunizations are contraindicated due to a prior adverse reaction or current medical condition. Medical waivers are valid for 1 year and need to be submitted annually. To request a medical waiver, call SHS at 617-353-3575 or send us a message in Patient Connect.
Learn more about declining this requirement.
Students seeking flu vaccine exemptions must review the risks of waiving the influenza (flu) vaccine and indicate whether the exemption request is for medical or religious purposes. A clinician will review the request and update your compliance within 2 to 3 business days. Follow these steps within Patient Connect:
The student must review and acknowledge the risks of waiving the COVID-19 vaccine. A clinician will review the request and update your compliance within 2 to 3 business days. Follow these steps within Patient Connect:
However, if you cannot use Patient Connect due to technological restrictions, please mail all completed paper forms to: Boston University You can also drop off your health requirements documentation in person at our office located at 881 Commonwealth Ave. during business hours.I can't submit my documentation online. What can I do?
Patient Connect is the fastest way to submit your documentation; we cannot accept information sent via email.
Student Health Services
ATTN: Patient Services
881 Commonwealth Ave—West
Boston, MA 02215
I still have questions. Who do I contact?
If you have questions about your health requirements, send us a message in Patient Connect or call to speak with a Patient Services Coordinator at 617-353-3575.