EWU 602-02: Immunizations
Health and Safety
| EWU Policy 602-02 | Authority: EWU Board of Trustees |
| Effective February 28, 2020 | Proponent: Vice Presidents Student Affairs and Business and Finance |
Summary: This policy establishes and describes the official policy for student, visiting scholar and employee Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization at Eastern Washington University.
Applicability: This policy applies to all students, visiting scholars and employees at Eastern Washington University. It does not apply to students who exclusively take online courses from EWU or participate in EWU courses offered in high schools.
History: This policy revises and supersedes EWU policy 502-04, dated February 22, 2019, and was adopted by the Board of Trustees on February 28, 2020.
1. INTRODUCTION
1-1. Background
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are highly communicable diseases that can be mitigated by receiving two (2) doses of the MMR vaccine. Measles, mumps and rubella create a significant health risk to the campus community and university operations.
In the event the Spokane Regional Health District determines there is a measles, mumps, or rubella outbreak on campus, university officials will notify:
a. Students who have an approved waiver request, Students with an approved waiver request will not be allowed on campus, including, but not limited to:
i. Attending classes
ii. Participating in campus activities, or
iii. Living in residence halls
b. Employees and visiting scholars with an approved waiver request will not be allowed on campus.
Typically, an outbreak lasts for two to four weeks. Students, employees, and visiting scholars who have not provided proof of immunity or vaccination will not be allowed on campus during an outbreak, including those with approved waivers. Once the outbreak is no longer in effect, employees, students, and visiting scholars will be notified that they may return to campus.
1-2. Purpose
The purpose of a mandatory MMR immunization requirement for university students, employees, and visiting scholars is to prevent the introduction and spread of these vaccine preventable diseases among the campus community. Accordingly, this policy requires proof of immunity or vaccination as a requirement for enrollment, participation in a visiting scholar program and as a condition of initial or continued employment at Eastern Washington University.
2.IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT
2-1. Measles, Mumps and Rubella
All students, employees, and visiting scholars of Eastern Washington University who were born after December 31, 1956, except those exempted by this policy, shall be required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination to measles, mumps and rubella. To facilitate the implementation of this policy, all students are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination prior to registering for courses at Eastern Washington University after their first academic quarter/semester. Future employees are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination prior to hire. Current employees are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination no later than June 30, 2020. Visiting scholars are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination prior to arrival. Current visiting scholars are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination no later than June 30, 2020.
After students begin taking regular quarter/semester classes at the university, they are able to obtain a blood test (titer) or MMR vaccination through student health services at MultiCare Rockwood.
2-2. Required Documentation/Proof of Immunity
Students, employees, and visiting scholars may provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR by one of the following methods:
a. Documentation of two doses of the MMR vaccine that were given:
i. On or after January 1, 1957
ii. At least 28 days apart, and
iii. On or after twelve (12) months of age; or
b. Documentation of a positive blood test (titer) for antibodies against MMR.
2-3. Documentation Process
a. The proof of immunity or vaccination documentation must be submitted through a third-party vendor who maintains medical records for Eastern Washington University.
b. Immunization documentation or blood tests (titers) must come from a doctor, clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, United States Armed Services, school or the State of Washington.
c. Washington residents may be able to obtain immunization documentation from the State of Washington via MyIR at https://wa.myir.net/.
d. Self-reported immunization records or blood tests will not be accepted.
2-4. Exemptions and Waivers
Students, employees, and visiting scholars may request the university waive the MMR immunization requirement for the following reasons:
a. Religious
b. Medical- Students and employees may request a medical waiver by presenting a statement from a licensed medical provider which certifies that the person is seeking a waiver for medical reasons.
Student requests for a waiver or exemption from the immunization requirements in this policy must be submitted to the Director of Health, Wellness and Prevention Services at least two weeks prior to the start of the quarter or semester in which the student plans to enroll. The Director will approve or deny any waiver requests.
Employee and visiting scholar requests for a waiver or exemption from the immunization requirements in this policy must be submitted to the Director of Human Resources or School of Global Learning, who will approve or deny any waiver requests.
Any student, employee, and visiting scholar who requests a waiver assumes the risk and responsibility for the consequences of not being immunized in the event the Spokane Regional Health District places the university on exclusionary status or otherwise restricts access to the campus. This includes, but is not limited to, not being allowed on campus, the inability to attend class, eat in dining facilities, use university facilities, work, or remain in a residence hall.
3. ENFORCEMENT
Students who have not submitted proof of immunity or vaccination or have not received an exemption or waiver will have a registration hold placed on their student account for the following academic quarter or semester. The student will not be permitted to register for classes or attend school until the required documentation or approved waiver or exemption has been provided
The registration hold will be lifted once the student has submitted the appropriate documentation or approved waiver.
Employees who have not submitted proof of immunity or vaccination will not be allowed on campus during an outbreak and will be required to use available vacation leave, compensatory time or leave without pay for time missed from work. Visiting scholars who have not submitted proof of immunity will not be allowed on campus.