{"id":109,"date":"2024-12-04T11:16:50","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T16:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/?page_id=109"},"modified":"2026-05-21T08:53:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T12:53:15","slug":"immunization-compliance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/health-requirements\/immunization-compliance\/","title":{"rendered":"Immunization Compliance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Boston University policy and Massachusetts law<\/a> require that students have certain immunizations to protect the health of individuals and our community.<\/p>\n

Required Student Populations<\/h3>\n

All full-time students and any international student studying on BU\u2019s campuses have required immunizations. In addition, some student populations have requirements beyond those listed below, including clinical student health requirements<\/a> and requirements for students participating in Varsity and Club Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please submit your immunization documentation one month before the start of your first semester.<\/strong> Students who do not submit their documentation within 7 days of starting classes will have a compliance \u201chold\u201d placed on their account that prevents them from registering for classes.<\/p>\n

In the event of a campus disease outbreak, non-immunized students may be required to leave campus.<\/p>\n

Required Immunizations<\/h3>\n

You must provide documentation of the following:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)<\/strong>. One dose of vaccine on or after age 10.<\/li>\n
  2. Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR).<\/strong> Two doses of vaccine or blood tests showing immunity. The first shot must be given after 12 months of age, with each vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart.<\/li>\n
  3. Varicella (Chickenpox)<\/strong>. Two doses of vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart or<\/em><\/strong> a blood test showing immunity or<\/em><\/strong> a date of disease certified by a healthcare provider. The first shot must be given after 12 months of age.<\/li>\n
  4. Hepatitis B.<\/strong> Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (or 2 doses of Heplisav) or<\/em><\/strong> a blood test showing immunity.<\/li>\n
  5. Meningitis ACWY.<\/strong> One dose on or after your 16th birthday. Learn more about this requirement<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Recommended Immunizations<\/h3>\n

    The following vaccines are not required<\/em>, but recommended for your health:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Flu vaccine<\/strong> for the current influenza season<\/li>\n
    2. COVID-19 vaccine<\/strong> based on MDPH recommendations<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. Tdap booster<\/strong> is recommended every 10 years<\/li>\n
    4. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)<\/strong> series<\/li>\n
    5. Meningococcal-B (MenB)<\/strong> vaccine<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n

      How to Submit Your Documentation<\/h3>\n

      First, gather your documents.<\/strong> Allow enough time to obtain your records and needed signatures. When locating your vaccine records, try the following:<\/p>\n