Pre-Admission Immunizations

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 & Rubella vaccine. Two doses required; first dose on or after age 1, second dose no sooner than 4 weeks after first dose.
• Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis vaccine. Completed childhood series, five doses in all.
• Tetanus booster within the last 10 years (preferred to have one adult pertussis booster with Tetnus).
• Polio vaccine. Completed childhood series, four doses in all.
• Tuberculosis screening to be reviewed by health care provider. TB skin test before college entrance with recorded results may be needed.
• Hepatitis B vaccine. Series of 3. Students just starting series may finish series at Hope Health Center if needed.
• Varicella vaccine if no history of chickenpox disease. Two doses required.

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 sign the Hope Immunization Waiver if they have personal or religious reasons to defer vaccines.

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

• Meningococcal vaccine.
• Influenza vaccine, yearly (available in the Fall).

The Hope Health Center is able to provide all of the above vaccines. Vaccinations are covered under the HopeHealth benefit for those who have not exceeded their limit. Appointments may be made by dialing x7585.

Meningococcal Vaccine - A Special Note:

The Hope College Health Center supports the American College Health Association by strongly recommending that students be vaccinated against meningitis.

Meningococcal meningitis is a potentially fatal bacterial infection. It can result in permanent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, organ failure, loss of limbs or death. Recent evidence shows that college students, especially those residing in resident's halls, are at a six-fold increased risk for meningococcal meningitis.

Disclaimer: Information on and throughout this web site is in no way a replacement for a visit or a diagnosis from a health professional.