Immunizations

All new and returning New School students (with the exception of those who receive approved medical or religious exemptions) are required to upload a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination documentation. 

COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) or for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be accepted by The New School. If a COVID-19 vaccine you received is not one of those authorized by the U.S. FDA or WHO, you will be required to re-vaccinate. The university will work with international students who are unable to be vaccinated before arrival in the United States. Visit the COVID-19 Community Guide for more information about this requirement.

Uploading your COVID-19 Vaccine Record

1. Visit shsportal.newschool.edu and log in with your Net ID and password. This is the same log-in information you use to log in to MyNewSchool and your New School email account.
2. Enter your date of birth to confirm your identity and then click the red button that says “Proceed.”
3. Next, click the red button that says “Enter My COVID-19 Vaccine Information.” If you don’t see this button, click the three horizontal lines in the upper left-hand corner of your screen to open the sidebar and then click “Medical Clearances.”
4. When the window opens, click the green upload button to add a photo of your vaccination record. Please note: Only PNG, JPEG, GIF, or PDF files will be accepted, and the vaccine record must be in English.
5. A preview of the image or file you selected will pop up. Make sure the photo or document is clear and click “Looks Good.”
6. Next, type in the date(s) on which you received your vaccine(s) and choose the vaccine type from the drop-down menu.
7. Finally, click the “Done” button in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.

You will not receive a confirmation email after your record is submitted or approved. To ensure that your submission has been received, click the “Medical Clearances'' link on the left-hand side of the portal screen. If you have successfully uploaded your record, this page will say “Awaiting Review.” Once a Student Health Services staff member reviews and approves your submission, the status will change to “Compliant.” You can log in to the portal at any time to check the status of your submission.

All part-time, full-time, graduate, and undergraduate students born on or after January 1, 1957, are required to provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. To submit your vaccine records, please log in to the SHS Portal and go to the Medical Clearances section to upload your documentation.
 
According to New York State Public Health Law 2165, all students must provide documentation of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. There are four ways to meet the MMR requirement:

• Two doses of MMR vaccine (see below for New York State requirements)
• Two doses of individual measles vaccine, one dose of individual mumps vaccine, and one dose of individual rubella vaccine (see below for New York State requirements).
• Proof of positive measles, mumps, and rubella blood titers. Positive titers mean that you have immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. 
• If you have been ill with measles or mumps, your medical provider can document this history of illness, which will be accepted as proof of immunity to measles and/or mumps.

Your MMR or individual measles, mumps, and rubella dates must meet the requirements below in order to be compliant with New York State public health law. If your vaccine dates do not meet the requirements, you must submit proof of positive measles, mumps, and rubella titers or receive additional doses of the vaccine.

Combined MMR Vaccine

• Dose 1: must be given no earlier than four days before your first birthday
• Dose 2: must be given at least 28 days after the first dose

Individual Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines

• Measles dose 1: must be given no earlier than four days before your first birthday
• Measles dose 2: must be given at least 28 days after the first dose
• Mumps dose 1: must be given no earlier than four days before your first birthday
• Rubella dose 1: must be given no earlier than four days before your first birthday

The health provider’s signature, clinic stamp, or records office stamp must appear on the Student Immunization Record Form or on any other measles, mumps, and rubella documentation in order for it to be accepted as valid documentation. 
 
Other Documentation
If you are unable to obtain the necessary immunization documentation, an alternative is to have a blood antibody titer drawn. This lab test measures the level of measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies in your blood. If you choose this option, you must upload a copy of the lab results to shsportal.newschool.edu. Results must indicate that you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella.

If you have a history of a medically diagnosed case of measles or mumps, you will not need to present proof of vaccination. Documentation of illness must be verified by a medical provider. Proof of prior illness is not acceptable for rubella.

Students who have attended elementary or secondary school in the United States after December 31, 1980, can submit proof of such attendance (e.g., high school diploma or transcript) as proof of having received one measles virus vaccine only. However, such proof must be accompanied by documentation proving receipt of a second vaccination no more than one year before attendance at The New School.

Please note: You will not be permitted to move into university housing until the immunization requirements are met. If you have any questions, email shs@newschool.edu.

What to Do If You’re Not Vaccinated 
Many routine vaccines, such as those for MMR and meningitis ACWY, can be obtained free of charge through your insurance plan at various immunization clinics.

In addition, the NYC Department of Health Immunization Clinic offers MMR vaccinations free of charge. No appointment is necessary; people are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive early, and bring any immunization records you have and insurance information.

Meningitis is a very serious bacterial disease, and New York State Public Health Law 2167 requires that all degree-seeking students at a university or college receive information about it. 

All students must formally decide to do one of the following:

• Receive the meningitis ACWY vaccination within 30 days of coming to campus and submit their vaccine record to the SHS Portal.
• Indicate that they have received the meningococcal vaccine within the past five years and upload the vaccine record to the SHS Portal.
• Decline receipt of the vaccination after receiving information about meningococcal disease risks*

*If you will be living in university housing, you are required to show proof of vaccination against meningitis ACWY received in the last five years before you will be permitted to move into the residence hall. Students living in university housing are not eligible to decline the meningitis ACWY vaccination unless they have a valid medical or religious exemption on file.

If you will not be living in university housing, the meningitis vaccine is not required, but it is strongly recommended for the following individuals:

• Anyone traveling in parts of the world where meningitis is common, such as Africa
• Anyone whose spleen has been removed or damaged
• Anyone who has a compromised immune system
• Any other adult wishing to reduce the risk of contracting meningococcal disease

All students born before January 1, 1957, are exempt from the requirement to provide documentation of measles, mumps, and rubella immunization.

Online-Only Students Living off Campus
Students who are living off campus, who have registered for online-only classes, and who are not planning to enter any university buildings during the semester, are not required to submit their immunization records. Please be advised that if you begin to take classes on campus or want to access campus facilities, you will be required to submit proof of immunity to COVID-19, measles, mumps, and rubella, and meet the meningitis ACWY requirement before attending in-person classes or entering university buildings. 

Religious Exemption
The New School follows New York State Department of Health guidelines with regard to religious exemptions.

Download and review the COVID-19 Request for Religious Exemption Form and/or the MMR and Meningitis Request for Religious Exemption Form, complete the form(s), and upload the form(s) along with your supporting documents to the SHS Portal.

Medical Exemption
The New School reviews medical exemptions on an individual basis. Students requesting a medical exemption must download the forms for COVID-19 and MMR and meningitis, review the instructions carefully, and when completed, upload all supporting materials to the SHS Portal. 

Students who receive a medical or religious immunization exemption may be excluded from in-person classes, residence halls, and/or campus facilities in the event of an outbreak. Any expenses incurred by a student as a result of exclusion from in-person classes, campus facilities, and/or university housing are the sole responsibility of the student.

The CDC’s Vaccine Finder can help students in the United States find the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine availability at certain providers and pharmacies in some states. Students who encounter obstacles to vaccine access should contact Student Health Services at shs@newschool.edu. 

For the latest answers to general COVID-19 vaccine questions, please visit the CDC website. The following websites will help members of our community who would like to be vaccinated in New York locate a vaccination site and schedule an appointment:

• New York State Vaccination Sites
• New York City Vaccination Sites
• New York City Hospital Vaccination Sites
• VaccineFinder

Out-of-state residents should contact their local or state authorities for information.

In addition, many routine vaccines such as MMR and meningitis ACWY can be obtained free of charge through your insurance plan at various immunization clinics.