Immunization

Outbreaks of communicable diseases cause great disruption and emotional and financial burdens for campuses, students and their families.

The medical professionals of the Hope Health Center strongly support the use of required and recommended vaccines to protect the health of our individual students and our entire campus community.

Required Immunizations

In compliance with recommendation from the American College Health Association, the following vaccines are required for all incoming Hope College students:

• Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: Two doses required; first dose on or after age 1, second dose no sooner than four weeks after first dose
• Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine: Completed childhood series per ACIP standards 
• One dose Tdap required on or after age 10
• Polio vaccine: Completed childhood series per ACIP standards
• Hepatitis B vaccine: (3) doses of Engerix-B or Reombivax HB or (2) doses of Heplisav-B
• Varicella vaccine (2 doses required); First dose on or after age 1, second dose no sooner than four weeks after first dose.
• Varicella Immunity Titer is required if past history of disease or less than (2) doses of vaccine
• Meningococcal ACWY vaccine : One dose on or after age 16. If you received your first dose before age 16, a booster dose is needed on or after age 16 for those in high-risk settings (college is considered a high-risk setting).
• Tuberculosis screening form to be completed and returned to Health Center staff: TB skin test before college entrance with recorded results may be needed

Students must provide documented proof of these immunizations before moving into student housing. The Hope Health Center will accept positive blood titers for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and varicella as proof of completed immunization for these diseases.

Students may refer to the Hope Immunization Waiver if they have medical or religious reasons to defer vaccines.  

Recommended Immunizations

Hope College strongly recommends the following vaccines prior to or upon college entrance:

• COVID-19
• HPV vaccine
• Meningitis B vaccine

The Hope Health Center is able to provide all of the required vaccines. The cost of these will be covered under the HopeHealth benefit for those who have not exceeded their limit. See HopeHealth Benefit regarding vaccine benefits. Appointments may be made by dialing 616.395.7585.

IF YOU CANNOT LOCATE YOUR IMMUNIZATION RECORD

Check with your high school and/or local health department. If they do not have your record:

• You may be re-vaccinated according to ACIP guidelines. For an adult this would include the following vaccines:
  • Three doese of Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (at least one dose must include pertussis)
  • Three doses of polio
  • Two doses of MMR
  • Three doses of hepatitis B
  • Two doses of varicella (if no evidence of chickenpox disease)
  • One dose of MCV4
    
    This will then provide a record for you now and into the future.
    
    
• You may choose to have blood testing to prove you are immune against measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and varicella.
  • You will not need vaccine(s) if the results show you are immune. We will need a copy of your lab results if you choose to do this.

If you have an immunization or TB test scheduled for after July 1

Submit your current immunization information now. You may add updated immunizations once they are received after July 1.

If you were not immunized as a child

• You will be required to sign the Hope Health Center immunization waiver form. This describes the limitations that are enforced with regards to disease outbreak and travel.
• As an adult – you can now research and make an informed decision to remain non-immunized or to begin your immunization series.

TRAVELING TO A HIGH-RISK TB COUNTRY

• You must include that information on your TB screening tool and return this with your completed health history form. Please note the dates of your travel.
• You must then have a TB test no sooner than nine weeks after you return, either in the Hope Health Center or through your private physician.