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Health Requirements

New York State Immunization Requirements 

All incoming students are required by New York State to comply with Public Health Laws 2165 and 2167. These laws apply to all students including undergraduates, graduates, commuters, residents, US citizens, international, cross registered, and graduate students in online programs with residency requirements or a “modified online” format.  

Canisius College strictly enforces compliance with these laws.  Students who do not submit the required information within thirty days of their first class will have their registration withdrawn. Withdrawn students cannot attend class, reside in college housing, access college technology, participate in or attend campus events. 

All applicable dates for tuition refund will be applied to immunization withdrawal and an immunization re-registration fee collected when a student complies on or after the withdrawal date.

Immunization Forms

From the options below select the student group you belong to and download the required form.  Take the form to your health care provider for completion and signature.  Return completed form to Student Health by July 31 (if attending in the fall), January 1 (if attending in the spring), and May 1 (if attending in the summer).

Full time Undergraduates including full time transfer students Physical and Immunization Form
Part time Undergraduates and All Graduate Students Immunization Form
Complete the meningitis response online here

New York State Public Health Law 2165 for Measles, Mumps and Rubella

PHL 2165 requires all students born after 1956 to submit proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella.  Acceptable proof of immunity is described below.

Measles  

Acceptable proof of immunity to measles (Rubeloa) is one of the following:

  • Two doses of live measles vaccination. The first dose administered on or after the first birthday. The second dose administered at least 28 days after the first dose. Records must be specific enough to demonstrate the vaccination was given on or after the first birthday.
  • Serologic Proof of Immunity. This is a blood test that demonstrates the presence of protective antibodies. A physician interpretation of the laboratory result must be submitted along with a copy of the actual blood test result.
  • Transcript. Students who are unable to prove the first dose of measles immunization can submit an official transcript proving attendance at a primary or secondary school in the United States since 1980. This will be accepted as proof of first measles vaccination.   In addition, students must submit proof of one dose of measles vaccination within one year of attendance at Canisius College.
  • Military Waiver. Students who have served in the armed forces and received honorable discharge within 10 years of attendance at Canisius, can submit a copy of their DD214 honorable discharge as waiver. Veterans using this option are granted a waiver until they obtain proof of measles immunity.

Mumps

Acceptable proof of immunity to mumps is one of the following:

  • One Dose of Mumps Vaccine. The vaccination must have been given on or after the first birthday. Records must be specific enough to determine the vaccination was administered on or after the age of one year.
  • Serologic proof of Immunity. This is a blood test that demonstrates the presence of protective antibodies. A physician interpretation of the laboratory result must be submitted along with a copy of the actual blood test result.
  • Military Waiver. Students who have served in the armed forces and received honorable discharge within 10 years of attendance at Canisius, can submit a copy of their DD214 honorable discharge as a waiver. Veterans using this option are granted a waiver until they obtain proof of mumps immunity.

Rubella

Acceptable proof of immunity to rubella is one of the following:

  • One Dose of Rubella Vaccine. The vaccine must have been given on or after the first birthday. Records must be specific enough to determine the vaccination was administered on or after the age of one year.
  • Serologic proof of immunity. This is a blood test that demonstrates the presence of protective antibodies. A physician interpretation of the laboratory result must be submitted along with a copy of the actual blood test result.
  • Military Waiver. Students who have served in the armed forces and received honorable discharge within 10 years of attendance at Canisius, can submit a copy of their DD214 honorable discharge as a waiver. Veterans using this option are granted a waiver until they obtain proof of rubella  immunity.

New York State Public Health Law 2167 for Meningococcal Disease

All students registered for 6 or more credits, regardless of date of birth, are required to submit proof of vaccination against meningococcal disease within the past 5 years.  Proof of vaccination means one dose Meningococcal ACWY not more than 5 years before enrollment and preferable on or after 16 years of age and/or a completed series of two or three doses Meningococcal B not more than 5 years before enrollment. All proof of vaccinations must be signed by a healthcare provider.

Students who do not wish to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease must be educated about the risk of meningococcal disease and sign a statement declining vaccinations.

Read about meningococcal disease here.

Vaccination Exemptions for Medical or Religious Reasons

Medical Exemptions

Medical exemptions can be requested by having a New York State licensed physician complete the Medical Exemption Statement. The request must be reviewed and approved by Student Health Center medical staff.

Religious Exemptions

Religious exemptions can be demonstrated by submitting a written and signed statement from the student, or in the event, the student is a minor, from their parents or guardians, that they hold sincere and genuine religious beliefs, which prohibit immunization of the students. This statement must be detailed enough to prove to the College that the beliefs are religious, not philosophical, and sincerely and genuinely held and submitted to the Director of Student Health prior to class attendance. The religious exemption form can be found in the health form section of this web site and must be notarized prior to submission to Student Health

Religious Exemption form for minors (Parents or guardians to complete)

Religious Exemption form for students 18 years and older

Notification of Non Compliance

Student Health communicates with students who are missing health requirements via:

  • Canisius College email
  • Portal alerts
  • New undergraduate student checklist page

Immunizations and Fees

Immunizations are available through health care providers, travel clinics, urgent care center, government sponsored health clinics and Student Health.

Student Health offers the following vaccinations for a fee:

  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella
  • Meningococcal ACYW
  • Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis
  • Tetanus/Diptheria

Please contact Student Health for the fees associated with each of these vaccinations.