We have updated our verification process to Med+Proctor! To see a step-by-step process, click here.
Immunity Verification Requirement
Table of Contents: Measles and Mumps • Meningitis ACWY • Documents • WAIIS Verification • Deadlines • Which Students Need to Meet the Requirements • Exemptions • FAQ • Submit Records
To protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, academic personnel, staff, and broader community, the University of Washington requires all students to be vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Meningitis Meningococcal ACWY, with certain exemptions allowed.
If these requirements are not met, students will not be able to register for classes. Students must take responsibility for their own immunizations and requirements.
Knowingly furnishing false information to any University official violates the Student Conduct Code under WAC 478-121-110.
Please note that we will process your records within 3-7 business days, and possibly longer during busier times. Thank you for your patience.
Requirements
All documents must show name, date of birth, and must be from a verifiable source. General Student Immunization Forms are accepted but not required if also submitting other verifiable immunization records, such as clinic immunization reports.
Returning students who entered UW before September 25th, 2019, will be subject to a review of their previously submitted immunizations to ensure they satisfy all current requirements.
Measles and Mumps
Proof of two MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccines, OR proof of two Measles and two Mumps vaccines, OR proof of positive Measles (Rubeola) and Mumps titers (blood immunity test) is required. If using the form, you must include laboratory titer test results with your submission. Upload your documents here.
To fulfill the requirements, Measles and Mumps vaccines and/or titers must meet the following conditions:
- The vaccine must be taken after the student’s first birthday.
- The length of time between the vaccine doses must be at least 28 days.
- The length of time between an MMR vaccine dose and a titer test must also be at least 28 days.
- Titer test results must be positive for immunity to both Measles and Mumps; we cannot accept low, negative, or indeterminate/equivocal. We also must be able to see the data regarding appropriate ranges. We require the IgG tests, which show previous infection or vaccination status. IgM tests show current infection status, which we do not require.
- If the first titer test is not positive, you will need to receive the MMR vaccine. 28 days (or more) after that, you can receive either a second MMR or a second titer test. If the results of second titers are still not positive, you will need to receive a second MMR.
- NOTE: Adults above the age of 50 should discuss their MMR requirements with their medical care team, as there may be some risks involved. To satisfy the requirement, you may also request a Measles and Mumps titer test, or an exemption from the requirement. We still require either two Measles and two Mumps vaccines, positive titers for Measles and Mumps, or an exemption from students born after January 1, 1957.
Accepted versions of the Measles and Mumps vaccines are:
- ME (Measles)
- MR (Measles-Rubella)
- MV (Measles-Varicella)
- MM (Measles-Mumps)
- MUMPS (Mumps)
- MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella)
- MMRV (Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella)
- Priorix (Measles-Mumps-Rubella)
Unaccepted versions of the Measles and Mumps vaccines are:
- Trimovax
To learn more, here is the Center of Disease Control’s information about Measles, Mumps, and the MMR vaccine.
Meningitis ACWY
Proof of Meningitis ACWY (meningococcal conjugate) vaccine is required for students ages 16 through 21. Upload your documents here.
- Vaccine should be taken on or after students’ 16th birthday. Students under the age of 16 are not required to fulfill the requirement until their 16th birthday.
- We do not accept Meningitis B vaccines in place of the ACWY variant. While recommended, it will not satisfy your requirement.
- If you cannot receive the correct Meningitis ACWY in your current location or home country, please receive it when you arrive here in the United States.
Accepted versions of the Meningitis ACWY vaccine are:
- Menveo
- Menactra
- MenQuadFi
- Nimenrix
- Penbraya (Meningitis ABCWY)
- MCV4 (Generic)
Unaccepted versions of the Meningitis ACWY vaccine are:
- Meningitis polysaccharide (MPSV4) vaccines
- Menmune
- Mencevax
- MenHibRix
- NeisVac-C
- Menjugate Kit
- Meningitec
- MenAfriVac
- Formening
- Menivax
- Generic MCV4 from China (but generic MCV4 from HongKong or Taiwan are acceptable)
- Meningococcal AC Polysaccharide (Non-US) – Please make sure that you ask your clinic/pharmacy to write down which specific vaccine you received
To learn more, here is the Center of Disease Control’s information about Meningococcal and the Meningitis ACWY vaccine.
Students in the Health Sciences Immunization Program need to submit proof of Meningitis ACWY vaccination to Med+Proctor if under the age of 22. For all other immunization requirements related to your program, please submit documents through CastleBranch. Your program will send you an email with your CastleBranch account information before your first quarter.
What documents should students submit?
We accept:
- Immunization records from a clinic or hospital
- K-12 transcripts that show immunizations
- Official handwritten immunization booklets
- The recommended Proof of Immunity form in the sidebar with a medical professional’s signature
- Pharmacy prescription documents/receipts for vaccinations
- State or country government documents. For vaccinations taken in Washington state, you can use the website MyIR.
- Military students: we accept forms DD214 and DD2766, which you can find on the website eBenefits.
Every document must have the student’s name and date of birth, vaccination date and brand, and must be verified by either a medical professional or an immunization report. It must be a legal, official report.
WAIIS Verification
If you have received vaccines in the State of Washington, the Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS) may contain your immunization records. You may authorize UW to query WAIIS for these records to assist you in satisfying your immunization requirement. Please update your Consent for Immunization Record Query for us to be able to look up your WAIIS record. Once you confirm your authorization, you can either forward us your confirmation email from the Office of the Registrar or wait 24-48 hours for us to look up your records. We do not recheck WAIIS records after the first time you have submitted your consent. If you have received another immunization recently and want us to look up your records, you will need to email or call us.
If you have submitted any documents to us, we will review and inform you via email if we need more information, corrected information, or if we have approved your vaccination documents. Please check your email for our response within 1-2 days.
For students who had vaccinations in other states, please find your state’s immunization database on this State Immunization Registries document. For students who received your vaccinations outside of the United States, please receive your immunization documents from your primary physician.
Exemptions
Students may request an exemption to all or part of the Measles, Mumps, and Meningitis ACWY vaccination requirement. Exemptions must be reviewed and signed by a health professional. You will need to complete this process even if you previously had an immunization exemption at another school, or had one as a child and are now an adult. If there is an outbreak of Measles, Mumps, or Meningitis ACWY, the student may be asked to leave the campus during the outbreak. You can find the medically-informed exemption form here.
Deadline
Immunizations are required 3 weeks into your first quarter, except for Summer quarter, which has 2 weeks before the start of Autumn quarter. If you do not fulfill the requirement by the deadline, you may have a registration block for the next registration period. We can offer brief one-time extensions, but we encourage that you fulfill the requirements well before the deadline to avoid a delay. For more information about deadlines and immunization events, please refer to our Calendar of Events page.
Entering Quarter | Deadline | Registration Block |
Autumn 2023 | October 20, 2023 | November 3, 2023 |
Winter 2024 | January 26, 2024 | February 9, 2024 |
Spring 2024 | April 19, 2024 | May 3, 2024 |
Summer 2024 | September 11, 2024 | September 25, 2024 |
Autumn 2024 | October 18, 2024 | November 1, 2024 |
When a student tries to register for classes and has received an extension, the image below is what the extension will look like. If the current date is before the date listed when you try to register, you will be able to register.
Students who must meet the requirements
Student Type | Measles | Mumps | Meningitis ACWY (If between 16-21 years old) | HSIP Requirements |
Matriculated* | ||||
Non-Matriculated Students* | ||||
HSIP Students** | ||||
Students born before January 1, 1957 | ||||
Exchange Students | ||||
Students in 100% Online Programs*** |
||||
Students who study online but are not in 100% Online Programs | ||||
Online PCE Students | ||||
Students who are enrolled for only one Quarter |
*Matriculated students are formally admitted to the University; a nonmatriculated or a graduate nonmatriculated student is one who isn’t formally admitted to the University.
**Health Science Immunization Program students can find their specific requirements here. If you are not sure if you are an HSIP student, please follow the link before or our FAQ page. HSIP Students under 22 years old must still submit their Meningitis ACWY vaccine to the Submission Portal.
***For a list of all 100% Online Programs, please refer to the FAQ page.
Vaccine Recommendations
In addition to required vaccines students are encouraged to review the additional, recommended vaccines below. These recommended vaccinations are provided for general health information. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provide specific indications/recommendations for each of these vaccines, which you should discuss with your healthcare provider.
- Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Polio
- Annual influenza vaccine (flu shot)
- Serogroup B Meningococcal (may be recommended if at increased risk)
The COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required for students except those in the Health Sciences Immunization Program. Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination remains strongly encouraged and is an important health measure to reduce the risk of severe illness. Please also follow the University’s COVID-19 Public Health Flowchart if you develop symptoms, test positive, or have an exposure to COVID-19.
Last update: March 28th, 2024