Mandatory Immunizations
Kent State University (Kent Campus) has specific vaccination requirements for students attending classes on the campus.
Students will need to submit documentation to our patient portal to have their vaccinations verified.
- The requirements are different for United States-based students and international student groups.
- Please review the specific sections in the “Immunization Requirements” section below to learn what applies to you.
Before starting the reporting process you need to consider if you have all of your immunization documents available for submission.
An attached copy of your electronic immunization record is acceptable. If you do not have documentation of your vaccination status, please download our Vaccination History Form below. A licensed healthcare professional must complete and sign off on the Vaccination History Form.
Vaccination History Form (PDF)
Once your documentation has been completed and signed by your licensed healthcare professional, please follow the steps below to upload this documentation.
- Visit the DeWeese Health Center Patient Portal.
- Type in your Kent State University email and password. Sign in.
- Once you sign in, click on “Immunizations” on the left side of the screen.
- Follow the prompts at the top of the screen.
- Select each of the required vaccinations and enter the dates they were received. If you received a titer test, please enter the result date of the positive antibody titer test.
- Once all dates are entered, click submit.
- Next, you will need to click “Uploads” on the left side of the screen.
- Upload your documentation for your vaccinations. A vaccination history form with a medical provider's signature OR an immunization history printed off by your provider’s office, high school, local health department, previous university/college, or the U.S. military will be accepted. You will not be considered compliant with the immunization requirements until you have completed this step.
- You are done with the submission process.
- Submissions may take up to 30 business days to review and verify.
United States Based Students - Immunization Requirements
This encompasses U.S. citizens, permanent residents or those that are part of the Jay Treaty.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Current KSU immunization policy requires that students attending the Kent Campus must provide proof of the following immunizations:
- Documentation of two MMR vaccines given after one year of age and separated by at least one month (or)
- Documentation of immunity as demonstrated by titers.
MMR Exemption
All students born before January 1957 are exempt from the MMR requirement.
Methods of Documentation
All documentation must be submitted to the DeWeese Health Center Patient Portal and must contain name and birth date.
- Download the Vaccination History Form (PDF) for your healthcare provider to sign and upload the completed form (or)
- Upload a copy of your immunization history printed off by your provider’s office, high school, local health department, previous university/college, or the U.S. military.
College of Nursing
- The College of Nursing has additional immunization requirements. Nursing students should receive an Immunization and Physical Form in their packet upon admission to the program.
- For more information, please contact the College of Nursing at 330-672-7930 or nursing@kent.edu.
Questions
If you have questions about the immunization requirement or how to upload your documentation, please email immunizations@kent.edu.
International Students - Immunization Requirements
International students, regardless of age, are required to submit additional information.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Current KSU immunization policy requires that all international students who are attending the Kent campus must provide proof of the following immunizations:
- Documentation of two MMR vaccines given after one year of age and separated by at least one month (or)
- Documentation of immunity as demonstrated by titers.
MMR Exemption
All students born before January 1957 are exempt from the MMR requirement.
TUBERCULOSIS SCREENING
Students attending the Kent campus must provide their results from an IGRA blood test (preferred) or a TB skin test. These test results must be from within the past 12 months.
Methods of Documentation
All documentation must be submitted to the DeWeese Health Center Patient Portal and must contain name and birth date.
- Download the Vaccination History Form (PDF) for your healthcare provider to sign and upload the completed form (or)
- Upload a copy of your immunization history printed off by your provider’s office, high school, local health department, or previous university/college.
Questions
If you have questions about the immunization requirement or how to upload your documentation, please email immunizations@kent.edu.
Why is there a vaccination requirement?
- For the health and safety of our campus community, Kent State University intends to be as proactive as possible in preventing disease outbreaks. Although vaccinations alone cannot stop outbreaks, medical evidence shows that higher levels of vaccination among a population lead to greater protection and less severe symptoms should an outbreak occur. The Ohio Revised Code Rule 3342-4-02.6 also states “all students enrolling for classes at Kent campus, and born after 01/01/1957, are required to provide documentation of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella.”
How do I obtain my vaccination records?
- You may contact your current physician or your childhood healthcare provider. In the event they do not have your records, contact your high school for the documentation. If you were/are in the armed forces, you should have access to your vaccination records through Veterans Affairs.
When should I submit my vaccination documentation?
- You should have your vaccination documentation submitted to the DeWeese Health Center Patient Portal before your first semester at Kent State.
I have moral or medical reasons for not being vaccinated. What can I do?
- Exemption forms can be found at the links below. Medical exemption forms must be signed by a healthcare provider. General exemptions for religious, philosophical, and moral convictions must be notarized by a notary public.
Medical Exemption Form (PDF) General (Non-Medical) Exemption Form (PDF)
How will I know if I have met the vaccination requirements?
- Once you have successfully entered your vaccination dates AND uploaded your vaccination documentation in the DeWeese Health Center Patient Portal, our team will review your submission. If you are compliant, you will receive a checkmark on your student checklist in Flashline. You will also see a green “verified” note at the top of your vaccination page in the patient portal.
Are the regional campuses covered by this requirement?
- No. The vaccination requirements apply only to students attending Kent State University's Kent campus.
I am only taking Distanced Learning classes. Does the vaccination requirement apply to me?
- No. Students who are only enrolled in Distanced Learning courses will be exempt from this requirement.
What happens if I don’t submit my vaccination documentation?
- Failure to provide your vaccination documentation or exemption documents may result in a hold being placed on your student account. This hold could prohibit you from scheduling future classes.