FAQs for Clinical Students

What is acceptable documentation for vaccines administered and titers (blood work)?

Students may provide any combination of following:

official certificate of immunization,
lab reports of blood tests.

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What if I am unable to obtain documentation for my childhood vaccines?

If you are unable to obtain official documentation of your immunization records the following is required:

Receive two TB skin tests at least 1 week apart
Receive a TdaP
Blood test for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella antibodies
Blood test for QUANTITATIVE Hepatitis B surface antibody (HepBSAB) or documentation of initial 1^st and 2^nd Hepatitis B vaccines (total of 3 doses and antibody titer are still required)

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Do I need a varicella (Chickenpox) titer if I have a history of the disease?

Yes. It is important that we are 100% certain you developed a protective level of antibodies to the disease. If your titer is low, depending on the level, you will need one or two varicella vaccinations.

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I do not have immunity to hepatitis B after receiving 3 vaccines, now what do I do?

You should get a booster dose vaccine, then re-titer 30-60 days later. If a protective antibody response is achieved, you are considered complete. If not, we would require completing dose #5 and #6 followed by a final titer 4 weeks after last dose vaccine.

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I had the Hepatitis B vaccine years ago but did not get a titer, what should I do?

Please have titer redrawn and request it to be reported with a QUANTITATITIVE value.

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Hepatitis B titer is not reported with a numeric value, what should I do?

If you have documentation of all three doses vaccine, then you should have a Hepatitis B surface antibody titer drawn first. If the QUANTITATIVE Hepatitis B Surface Antibody is positive, send us the report.

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Why do I have to have two TB Skin tests?

If you have not had annual TB skin testing (TST) or your testing has elapsed more than 14 months, you will be required to have a two-step TST. The first test “wakes up” your immune system and the second test is your actual test. After having your tests placed, you must return 48-72 hours to have each test read. Your second test can be placed one to two weeks after the first. Tests are not placed on Thursdays.

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I have had BCG vaccine. Do I still need a TB skin test?

Yes. The tuberculin skin test (TST) and blood tests to detect TB infection are not contraindicated for persons who have been vaccinated with BCG. For more info: www.cdc.gov

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What do I do if I have had a previous positive TST?

You will need to turn in documentation regarding the positive test: treatment, chest x-ray results, etc. You will be required to complete a TB Questionnaire on an annual basis.

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Are vaccines free at Campus Health Services?

No. Services, vaccines, labs etc. are available at a reduced cost to students. A fee schedule for commonly needed vaccines and titers is attached.

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Where do I send my documentation? Who can I contact with questions or problems?

Mail: University of Louisville Campus Health Services
401 East Chestnut St, Suite 110
Louisville, KY 40202
Email: immunize@louisville.edu
Phone: 502.852.2708

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