Immunizations

All students registering for degree-seeking classes and ESL+ certificate students:

Must have received a COVID-19 vaccination and booster:

• COVID-19 vaccines must be FDA or WHO authorized.
• Students must have received the full primary series and booster.
• COVID-19 vaccination records must show your name, your date of birth, the name and dates received of all vaccinations in the series, and clinic site.
• The COVID-19 vaccination card must be signed or stamped in English or officially translated.

Must show immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella:

Acceptable proof of immunity includes:

• Immunization cards or records from childhood, in English or officially translated, or a New School Immunization Form, signed and stamped by your medical provider, showing proof of having received two measles vaccinations, one mumps vaccination, and one rubella vaccination. The dates of these vaccinations must be indicated by your medical provider or included on your submitted immunization record. These vaccinations must have been received on or after your first birthday and at least 28 days apart.
• Official immunization records from another school you attended, such as high school or college.
• A copy of an official lab report (blood antibody titer), showing immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within ten years from the date of application enables students to attend while obtaining official immunization records.
• If you have had the measles and/or mumps in the past, no proof of vaccination is necessary. However, we require that you indicate the date you contracted the disease, which must be verified by a medical provider to be accepted.

Must complete a Meningococcal Response Form in the SHS portal:

To complete the form, log in to the SHS Portal, click on Medical Clearances, then click on Update, next to Meningococcal Response Form. If you choose the option on the form stating you have received the meningitis ACWY vaccine, you must upload documentation of the vaccine; only meningitis ACWY vaccines received within the past five years meet the requirement.

Must have received a COVID-19 vaccination and booster:

• COVID-19 vaccines must be FDA or WHO authorized.
• Students must have received the full primary series and booster.
• COVID-19 vaccination records must show your name, your date of birth, the name and dates received of all vaccinations in the series, and clinic site.
• The COVID-19 vaccination card must be signed or stamped in English or officially translated.

Must show immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella:

Acceptable proof of immunity includes: 

• Immunization cards or records from childhood, in English or officially translated, or a New School Immunization Form, signed and stamped by your medical provider, showing proof of having received two measles vaccinations, one mumps vaccination, and one rubella vaccination. The dates of these vaccinations must be indicated by your medical provider or included on your submitted immunization record. These vaccinations must have been received on or after your first birthday and at least 28 days apart.
• Official immunization records from another school you attended, such as high school or college.
• A copy of an official lab report (blood antibody titer), showing immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within ten years from the date of application, enabling students to attend while obtaining official immunization records.
• If you have had the measles and/or mumps in the past, no proof of vaccination is necessary. However, we require that you indicate the date you contracted the disease, which must be verified by a medical provider to be accepted.

Students living in university housing are required to submit proof of having received a meningitis ACWY vaccine within the past five years. 

If your meningitis ACWY vaccination date becomes more than five years in the past while you are living on campus, you will be required to receive a new meningitis ACWY vaccine on that day. For information about meningococcal meningitis, please visit cdc.gov/meningitis.

Must complete a Meningococcal Response Form in the SHS portal:

To complete the form, log in to the SHS Portal, click on Medical Clearances, then click on Update, next to Meningococcal Response Form. If you choose the option on the form stating you have received the meningitis ACWY vaccine, you mustupload documentation of the vaccine; only meningitis ACWY vaccines received within the past five years meet the requirement.

Must complete a Meningococcal Response Form in the SHS portal:

To complete the form, log in to the SHS Portal, click on Medical Clearances, then click on Update, next to Meningococcal Response Form. If you choose the option on the form stating you have received the meningitis ACWY vaccine, you must upload documentation of the vaccine; only meningitis ACWY vaccines received within the past five years meet the requirement.

If your status changes (you add an in-person class), you will need to meet the requirements listed for degree-seeking students taking at least one class in person.

Individuals taking at least one in-person class on our NYC campus must upload documentation of COVID-19 vaccinations and booster:

• COVID-19 vaccines must be FDA or WHO authorized.
• You must have received the full series of vaccinations.
• Your COVID-19 vaccination record must show your name, your date of birth, and the name and dates received of all vaccinations in the series.
• Your COVID-19 vaccination card must be signed or stamped in English or official translation.

If your status changes (you add a degree-seeking class), you will be required to meet the requirements listed for degree-seeking students taking at least one class in person.

Continuing and Professional Education online-only students

If you are taking classes online only and will not be entering the NYC campus, you do not need to meet any of the requirements.

If your status changes (you add a degree-seeking class or plan to enter the NYC campus), you will need to meet the requirements for that category.

Religious Exemption: If a student may not receive vaccinations for religious reasons, the student must upload a completed and signed Request for Religious Exemption Form along with a letter signed by the student explaining how their religion prevents them from receiving the vaccinations, along with any supporting scripture.

Medical Exemption: If a student may not receive a vaccination for medical reasons, the student must upload a completed and signed Request for Medical Exemption Form. Student Health Services staff may request additional medical information from the student’s provider enabling them to understand the necessity of an exemption. In addition, any pregnant student can be temporarily exempted from the requirement if medically necessary.

All Exemption Request Forms can be downloaded in the SHS Portal under Downloadable Forms. Once the form is complete, it can be uploaded in the downloadable form section.

Please note: Students who are exempt from receiving measles, mumps, rubella, COVID-19, and/or meningitis ACWY vaccinations may be excluded from classes and campus (dorms, university buildings, etc.) in the event of an outbreak. Any expenses incurred by a student as a result of exclusion from 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 most up-to-date 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.

Below are informational fact sheets for the required immunizations:

• Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine Fact Sheet (Only required for students living on campus)
• MMR Vaccine Fact Sheet
• Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
• Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Fact Sheet