Immunization Policy

Purpose

The College Student Immunization Act (110 ILCS 20) requires Illinois colleges and universities to provide proof that their students have been immunized against the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases around campus and to the surrounding community. (See, 77 Ill. Admin Code 694). Saint Xavier University is committed to ongoing compliance with this law. As a result, it is the responsibility of all students who desire to attend the University, and to whom the law pertains, to abide by the immunization requirements identified below prior to registration and enrollment. All required immunizations are part of the CDC recommended vaccine schedule and all are required for high school attendance in the state of Illinois.

Requirements for Domestic Students

Undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled, or who are scheduled to enroll, in more than six credit hours per semester must show compliance with all of the following:

Measles, Mumps and Rubella

Tetanus

Meningitis

Requirements for International Students

International students who are enrolled, or who are scheduled to enroll, must show proof of compliance with all of the immunization requirements for domestic students (see above) and a tuberculosis screening within 10 days of arrival on campus.

A tuberculosis screening questionnaire must be completed at the SXU Health Center within 10 days of a student's arrival on campus. If the SXU Health Center clinical staff determines that the student is high-risk for tuberculosis, the student will need to undergo appropriate testing for tuberculosis exposure and disease. This may include but is not limited to: tuberculosis skin testing, interferon-gamma release assay laboratory testing (QuantiFERON gold) and a chest x-ray. In addition, until and unless the student is determined to be non-infectious, he/she will be restricted from attending classes and campus activities.

Compliance

In order for a student to be considered in compliance with these requirements, proof of immunizations must be clearly documented on an official immunization record in English (physician's record, school record, military record, etc.) or on a signed SXU Certificate of Immunity form that can be found on the SXU Health Center webpage. Once a clinical staff member of the SXU Health Center approves the immunization record, the student will be considered in compliance with the requirement.

Statutorily Authorized Exceptions

Illinois law has permitted the following exceptions:

  1. Students born before January 1, 1957, have a presumed immunity to measles, mumps and rubella and therefore do not need to provide proof of these vaccinations. However, these students are still required to comply with tetanus requirement (see above).
  2. Students taking six or less credit hours per semester and/or students not attending any classes on campus (i.e., all internet-based classes) do not need to provide proof of immunity. However, if at any time a student registers for more than six credit hours in one semester and/or begins attending class on campus, they will need to show proof of immunizations.
  3. Students may request a medical or religious exemption to vaccine requirements. These students will be excluded from campus and class during any outbreak of measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria or meningitis due to potential health risks. Contact the SXU Health Center for more information regarding what is required for such exemption.

Consequences of Noncompliance

Failure to comply with immunization and TB screening requirements will prevent students from adding or dropping classes during the current semester, and registering for classes for subsequent semesters. Once an official immunization record is approved by a clinician at the SXU Health Center, the registration block will be lifted from the student's account.

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