Congratulations! The staff of the Student Health Center extends a warm welcome to you and your family. We look forward to meeting you at orientation and providing you with quality health care during your time at the college.
Canisius College has very specific health requirements for you to complete before starting class. Taking time to address these requirements before August 1, 2012 will make your first month at school less challenging.
Submission deadline for all health requirements is July 31, 2012.
New York State Immunization Requirements
New York State Public Health Law 2167 for Measles, Mumps and Rubella
All members of the Class of 2016 are required by New York State to submit proof of immunizations against measles, mumps, and rubella. The immunization section of the physical examination form explains those requirements. Be sure your health care provider completes the immunization section of the form and signs his/her name at the bottom of that section.
Advise your healthcare provider that the college does not accept any attached immunization records or other vaccination documents unless the doctor has signed and dated the records verifying accuracy.
New York State Public Health Law 2167 for Meningitis
New York State requires you and your parents be educated about the risk of meningococcal meningitis on college campuses. To demonstrate that awareness, you must complete a meningitis response form and provide either the date you received a meningitis vaccination within the last 10 years against these strains of meningitis A, C, W, & Y 135 or sign a statement indicating you are aware of the risk of the disease and decline vacccination. If you are under the age of 18 years, your parents are required to sign the form for you.
Non Compliance
All new students must submit immunization records and the meningitis response by July 31, 2012. Students who are not in compliance with New York Public Health Law will have their registration cancelled within 30 days of the start of their first semester. This means you will no longer be a registered Canisius student. You will not be able to reside in college housing, attend classes, participate in campus events, or have access to college facilities. Canisius College strictly enforces all these laws.
Physical Exam Requirement
All members of the Class of 2016 must submit a complete medical history and physical examination form to Student Health no later than July 31, 2012. Physical examinations must be done within the past 12 months. Students who are planning to play a Division I Intercollegiate sport must have a physical done within 6 months of first sports participation. A physical examination form will be mailed to you in early March or can be downloaded from this website. Students who do not submit a completed physical examination form will have a hold placed on their registration.
Tuberculosis Screening
You must also be screened for tuberculosis by your health care provider.
Be sure your doctor completes the TB section of the form and submits results of the screen. If your form is missing a completed TB screen, it will be deemed incomplete.
Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis Vaccination (Tdap)
Student Health strongly recommends that you receive one dose of Tdap booster during your teenage years or young adulthood and that your last tetanus vaccination was given within the last 10 years.
Health Insurance
If you have health insurance, request a copy of the card from your insurance company to carry with you at school. Please send a copy of the card to Student Health along with your physical examination form. Check with your insurance company now to find out how your plan works while you are at college.
If you do not have health insurance, the college offers a sickness and accident plan. Information about the 2012-2013 plan, including cost and benefits, will be available on the Health Center web site after July 1, 2012. Canisius strongly recommends that all students have health insurance coverage.
Class of 2016 Timeline for Health Requirements
March 2012
- Make an appointment with your doctor sometime after March 1, 2012 and before July 31, 2012 for your complete physical examination.
- Contact your health insurance carrier to request your own health insurance card. Ask member services how your plan works while you are a college student.
- Discuss medications you take everyday with the doctor who prescribes them. Make sure you bring enough medication with you to campus to last until your next visit home or have prescriptions sent to a pharmacy near campus. A list of pharmacies is found on the Student Health Center web site under services.
- Arrange to see any medical specialists (dermatologist, orthopedist, counselor, dentist etc) before August 2012 and make follow up appointments over breaks in October, November or December when you will be back home.
- If you need additional services on campus such as counseling or disability services, check out their web pages and contact those offices to discuss services available.
- Check over your physical examination form. Make sure each section has been completed, signed,and dated as requested.
- Mail your physical examination form and a photocopy of your health insurance card, if you applicable, to Student Health by July 29, 2012.
August 2012
- Prepare a first aid bag for your dorm room including a thermometer, cold medications, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, first aid supplies such as band aids, antibiotic ointment, ice pack, and ace wrap.
- Purchase cleaning supplies for your dorm room and pack a supply of alcohol based hand sanitizer.
- Look for Student Health at check in and stop to say hello!