If you are not part of the Health Sciences programs listed below, your immunization requirements must be reviewed by the Immunity Verification Program.
Health Sciences Immunization Requirements
The Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP) ensures students enrolled in health sciences academic programs comply with the requirements detailed in the University’s affiliation agreements with clinical and practicum training sites. These affiliation agreements require students to complete and document immunizations and tuberculosis (TB) screening as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for healthcare personnel. The requirements reduce the risk of exposure to communicable diseases for students and their patients/clients. Students are required to comply with updated CDC and HSIP requirements upon enrollment and continue to meet ongoing requirements until completion of their degree program, even if those requirements change during a student’s enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to meet any requirements of a training site that may differ from those requested by HSIP.
Due to the nature of health sciences training programs, exemptions are granted in alignment with CDC recommendations for documented medical conditions for which there is a vaccine contraindication, HSIP policy, and University policy and practice only. Please refer to the Vaccine Exemptions section on the HSIP webpage and the Health Sciences Immunization Program Policy for details about exemption options to HSIP requirements.
HSIP Phone Consultation: If you would like to talk directly to an HSIP staff member regarding your requirements, please schedule a 20-minute phone consultation using Calendly. Please note: Phone consultation appointments need to be made 24 hours in advance; HSIP does not offer same-day consultation. For healthcare resources refer to Vaccine, Titer, and TB Screening Resources & Records section below.
Health Sciences Programs/Schools
Health Sciences Participating Schools and Programs
Students enrolling in these UW health sciences programs that require clinical or practicum training to complete the degree should expect to receive notification from academic program staff of the HSIP requirements:
- Seattle campus HSIP Programs
- Medicine (MED)
- MEDEX – Seattle, Tacoma, Anchorage, Spokane, and Hawaii
- Medical Laboratory Science/Laboratory Medicine
- Rehab Medicine (DPT/MOT/MPO)
- Genetic Counseling
- Dentistry (DDS and most post-doctoral students)
Endo/OralB/OralM/Ortho/Perio/Pros - Pharmacy Doctorate (PharmD)
- Nursing (BSN/ABSN/DNP/Certificate)
- Social Work (BASW/MSW)
- Public Health (MPH/Nutrition)
- Speech & Hearing Sciences (SPHSC)
CoreSLP/MedSLP/EdSLP/AuD/AuD-PhD
- Tacoma campus HSIP programs
- Social Work (BASW/MSW)
- Bothell campus HSIP programs – None; all Bothell students must follow the UW General Immunization Requirement and/or any additional requirements set by their program.
Please note:
- Pre-health sciences students do not participate in HSIP.
- UW Bothell: Health sciences students follow their program’s guidelines, rather than participating in HSIP.
- UW Tacoma: Social Work and MEDEX students participate in HSIP. Other Tacoma health sciences students follow their program’s guidelines.
CastleBranch UX Accounts for HSIP
HSIP contracts with a vendor, CastleBranch, to track immunization and TB testing compliance. Each health sciences school or program sends instructions to accepted students for creating their UX CastleBranch account, including deadlines for meeting HSIP requirements. Some programs require additional CastleBranch accounts for background checks and drug screenings which are not related to the HSIP UX account. Each account type must be set up separately.
There is a one-time fee to set up the UX CastleBranch account paid directly to the vendor when creating the account.
UX CastleBranch accounts by program:
UX51 – Dentistry (DDS, IDDS, Endo/OralB/OralM/Ortho/Perio/Pros)
UX52 – MEDEX
UX53 – Medical Laboratory Science/Laboratory Medicine
UX54 – Medicine (MED)
UX55 – Pharmacy Doctorate (PharmD)
UX56 – Occupational Therapy (MOT)
UX57 – Physical Therapy (DPT)
UX58 – Prosthetics & Orthotics (MPO)
UX59 – School of Public Health MPH (EPI/ENVH/GLOBLH/Genetics/HSERV – Online/COPHP)
UX60 – School of Public Health Nutrition
UX61 – Speech & Hearing Sciences (SPHSC) – (CoreSLP/MedSLP/EdSLP/AuD/AuD-PhD)
UX62 – School of Social Work Seattle (BASW/MSW)
UX63 – School of Social Work Tacoma (BASW/MSW)
UX64 – School of Nursing (BSN/ABSN/DNP/Certificate)
IY97 – Genetic Counseling
HSIP Fee
Once you enter a participating health sciences school or program, you will pay the HSIP fee to cover the cost of administering the Health Sciences Immunization Program.
The amount of the fee is subject to change on a yearly basis and is attached to your tuition account for as long as you remain in your UW health sciences school or program.
Read the 2024-2025 Annual HSIP Fee (PDF) for specific details about how the health fee was calculated for the current school year.
Please note that the health fee is not health insurance. More information about getting health insurance coverage can be found on the Husky Health Center website.
We recommend students learn what health services are offered at the student health center on their “home” campus and in the community. Our Health Care Resources information sheet may also be of assistance for students who need initial or ongoing services in the WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).
HSIP Immunization, Titer, and TB Screening Requirements
HSIP Requirements Checklist
The HSIP Requirements Checklist provides a summary of Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP) requirements and acceptable documentation for each item.
Full instructions will be available in the CastleBranch account students purchase to submit documentation.
It is recommended that you print the HSIP Requirements Checklist to ensure you meet each requirement.
It is helpful to take this checklist with you to your medical appointments so your provider can refer to what is required.
Vaccine, Titer, and TB Screening Resources & Records
Vaccines
All HSIP required vaccines can be obtained through the following healthcare resources:
- Through your primary care provider
- Pharmacies in your local area (Bartell Drugs, Costco, CVS, Fred Meyer, QFC, Rite Aid, Safeway, Walgreens, WalMart, etc.)
-
- Book an appointment online with your preferred pharmacy
- Heplisav-B: https://www.heplisavb.com/pharmacy-finder/
- Influenza: https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/
- mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: Vaccines.gov – Search for COVID‑19 vaccine locations
- Novavax COVID-19 vaccine: https://us.novavaxcovidvaccine.com/find-a-vaccine
- Free COVID-19 vaccines: Refer to Healthcare Resources for Uninsured Students
- CDC Vaccine Finder – vaccines.gov
- WA State Department of Health (DOH) Vaccine Finder https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/appointment/en/clinic/search
- Husky Health, UW Seattle campus health center. Please call (206) 685-1011 to schedule (identify yourself as an HSIP participating student)
- Pharmacy & clinic resources near Seattle & Tacoma UW Campus
- Care-a-Van Mobile Health Services – Health service events in WA state for free vaccines. Care-a-Van services are no cost, with one exception. People with health insurance indicating that Care-a-Van health services are out-of-network may be billed for flu or COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinics (Do an internet search, “Urgent Care Clinics/Walk-in Clinics near me”)
- Additional Healthcare Resources
Contact HSIP at myshots@uw.edu for additional resources if needed.
Titers & TB Screening (IGRA)
Titers are a serologic lab tests to verify immunity to an infectious disease. TB screening is used to determine whether an individual has a current or latent TB infection (it is not a vaccine). TB screening using the IGRA blood test method is the preferred testing method; HSIP accepts either the QFT-Gold and T-Spot lab tests.
Titers and IGRA TB screening both require a physician’s order which can be obtain through the following healthcare resources:
- Through your primary care provider,
- Husky Health, UW Seattle campus health center. Please call (206) 685-1011 to schedule (identify yourself as an HSIP participating student)
- Clinic resources near Seattle & Tacoma UW Campus
- Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinics (Do an internet search for “Urgent Care Clinics/Walk-in Clinics near me.”)
- Student online lab orders
- Additional Heathcare Resources
Contact HSIP at myshots@uw.edu for additional resources if needed.
Tips for Locating Old Immunization Records
Prior immunization records may be accepted for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Tdap vaccine requirements. NOTE: Tdap vaccination must be completed within the past 10 years OR a Td vaccination completed within the past 10 years AND documentation of a Tdap administered on or after 6/1/2005.
Suggested places to check for old immunization records:
- State Immunization Information System – Links to state resources
- All previous healthcare providers
- All pharmacy records where vaccines were administered
- Previous employers* (employee health records) including military*
- College or other post-secondary institutions* (K-12 records that are not provider-verified are not accepted)
- Department of Health
- Provider-verified immunization booklet (A facility stamp or provider signature is required next to each recorded vaccine dose. Unverified records should be taken to your provider or local public health clinic and documented in an official medical record or state immunization registry).
- Additional Tips for Locating Old Immunization Records
*Immunization summaries are not accepted for titers and TB screening lab results. Please obtain a copy of the full lab report.
Unable to Locate Old Immunization Records
If you are unable to locate prior immunization records, HSIP recommends the following:
- MMR – You may be able to verify immunity by completing MMR IgG titers for each component (measles, mumps, and rubella). NOTE: If any MMR titer is negative, you will need to proceed with completing the 2-dose MMR vaccine series (2nd dose should be given 1 month after the first).
- Varicella – You may be able to verify immunity by completing a varicella IgG titer. NOTE: If your varicella titer is negative, you will need to proceed with completing the 2-dose varicella vaccine series (2nd dose should be given 1 month after the first).
- Hepatitis B – Please refer to the Undocumented Hepatitis B Vaccine section.
- Tdap – Please complete a current Tdap vaccine dose.
Prior immunization records are not applicable for Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines which require up to date vaccination.
Healthcare Resources for Uninsured Students
Healthcare Resources:
- Clinic resources that can assist with eligibility for WA State Health Insurance Plans and/or offer care using a sliding scale payment:
- Country Doctor Community Health Clinic
500 19th Ave East, Seattle, WA 98112 - Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center
2101 East Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122
- Country Doctor Community Health Clinic
- Vaccine resources
- Care-a-Van Mobile Health Services – Health service events in WA state for free vaccines. Care-a-Van services are no cost, with one exception. People with health insurance indicating that Care-a-Van health services are out-of-network may be billed for flu or COVID-19 vaccinations.
Insurance Recourses:
Documentation Requirements
Vaccine Documentation
All required documentation components must be included in your vaccine record submission:
- Full name. If the name on your record does not match your current legal name you will be required to verify your name change through submission of a legal name change document (court issued record, marriage certificate, etc.).
- Name of vaccine administered and full date of administration (mm/day/year).
- Documents must be from a verifiable medical source (medical record, clinic or provider signature/stamp, or certified state immunization registry. Handwritten K-12 records signed by parents are not acceptable.
- When submitting a vaccine booklet the following must be included:
- The front page of the booklet with full name must be included in the same file upload as the vaccine documentation.
- Each vaccine dose listed must include a provider signature/initials or facility name.
- Pharmacy printouts, provider/clinic-verified childhood immunization information, and state registry records are all acceptable proof of immunization.
Lab Result Documentation
All required documentation components must be included in your lab result submission:
- Full name. If the name on your record does not match your current legal name you will be required to verify your name change through submission of a legal name change document (court issued record, marriage certificate, etc.).
- Test name with results as specified by test:
- MMR & Varicella IgG Titers – results may be qualitative (e.g. positive/negative)
- Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer – results should be quantitative (numeric value). A qualitative result (positive/negative or reactive/nonreactive) is acceptable only when a numeric interpretation reference range is also included (e.g. immunity ≥10 mIU/mL). NOTE: The Hepatitis B titer must be drawn AFTER a documented full Hepatitis B vaccine series has been completed.
- IGRA Blood Test
- Acceptable IGRA blood tests are either a QuantiFERON-TB Gold test or a T-Spot test
- Qualitative results (positive/negative)
- Numeric values preferred but not required.
- Specimen date of collection (blood draw date)
Printing Documents from a Patient Portal
If you have access to your records through a patient portal, you may be able to access your report by going to the lab tab details and clicking the printer icon in the upper right-hand corner. Make sure the header is set to be included, then save a copy of the print screen as a PDF.
Result Trends documents are not acceptable; this type of report does not include the source of the record and therefore is not verifiable.
This document should have your full name, test name, collection date, results, and show the source of the record.
If a lab was completed through LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics, you can find the lab report through their sites:
- LabCorp: https://www.labcorp.com/patients/results
- Quest Diagnostics: https://myquest.questdiagnostics.com/web/home
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Statement
Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations is required for all students in HSIP participating programs in accordance with HSIP policy, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) COVID-19 recommendations and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines for Healthcare Workers.
Practicum facilities may deny unvaccinated students access to their site, which may result in an inability to fulfill academic requirements. If you have questions about academic requirements, please contact your school or program.
COVID-19 Requirement for Summer/Autumn 2024 and Winter/Spring 2025 Admits
Summer & Autumn 2024 entering students are required to provide one of the following:
- An updated 2024-2025 formulation mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/Comirnaty or Moderna/Spikevax)
OR
- An updated 2024-2025 formulation Novavax vaccine PLUS documentation of at least one additional COVID-19 vaccine (additional vaccine must be approved for use by the World Health Organization).
2024-2025 formulation COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available in August 2024. Please be sure to get the 2024-2025 formulation. Prior COVID-19 vaccines will not be excepted. Subsequent annual COVID-19 vaccination will be required each autumn.
Records must be from a medically verifiable source and include full name, type of vaccine/manufacturer, and dates of administration.
Coadministration of COVID-19 Vaccination and Other Routine Vaccines, Titers, and TB Screening
COVID-19 vaccines may be administered without regard to timing with other routine vaccines and TB screening required for HSIP students.
For additional information, refer to the CDC guidance on coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines and CDC Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines regarding TB screening without regard to timing of COVID-19 vaccination.
Temporary Extension for Recent COVID-19 Infection
Students may request a 90-day extension for an updated COVID-19 vaccine following a recent COVID-19 infection.
Complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Extension Request Form and return it to HSIP at myshots@uw.edu.
NOTE: Students will have a 10-day grace period to get vaccinated once the extension expires.
Hepatitis B
Requirement Description
Students are required to provide documentation of both a completed full Hepatitis B vaccine series (2-doses of Heplisav B or 3-doses all other Hepatitis B vaccines) and proof of immunity through a postvaccination Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer, in accordance with CDC recommendations for healthcare personnel and HSIP policy.
If you already have a completed Hep B vaccine series and a Reactive Quantitative Hep B Surface Antibody Titer that is dated after the vaccine series, please combine both the Hep B vaccine documentation and the reactive/positive Quantitative Hep B Surface Antibody titer into one PDF file and submit it for the Hepatitis B action in your CastleBranch account for approval. Please note, a full lab report is required; an immunization summary or “results trend” document is not acceptable.
If you have a completed vaccine series that is older than 10 years, we recommend getting a Heplisav-B booster vaccine dose prior to the Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer to increase the likelihood of testing positive/reactive on the titer. In the event your titer is negative, additional vaccination would then be required.
Step 1- Complete a Full Vaccine Series
You will first need to complete the Hep B vaccine series, through one of the following vaccine series (previous childhood vaccine doses are acceptable and count toward completing a full vaccine series):
- Energix-B, PreHevbrio, or Recombivax-HB (3-dose series): Doses are given at respectively 0, 1, and 6 months (*minimum dosing intervals are acceptable: dose 1 to dose 2: 4 weeks / dose 2 to dose 3: 8 weeks / dose 1 to dose 3: 16 weeks)
- Twinrix (HepA-HepB 3-dose series): Doses are given at respectively 0, 1, and 6 months (*minimum dosing intervals: dose 1 to dose 2: 4 weeks / dose 2 to dose 3: 5 months)
- Heplisav-B (2-dose series): *Doses are given at least 4 weeks apart. (Recommended if no previous childhood HepB vaccine series).
*Your Hepatitis B vaccine doses need to meet the minimal intervals to be accepted. If you have a dose that does not meet the minimal intervals, then that dose is considered invalid, and you will need to complete a new Hep B dose to replace the invalid dose.
If your vaccine series is currently in process, submit documentation of the vaccines you have already received into your CastleBranch account. New to-do actions will be created for subsequent doses followed by the titer.
It is the student’s responsibility to verify insurance coverage of vaccines.
Step 2 – Complete a Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer
After completion of a full Hep B vaccine series, you need to complete a Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer (HBsAb-QN). The Quantitative Hep B Surface Antibody Titer is a serologic test to verify immunity from your vaccine series. This lab test needs to be requested through a physician’s order.
How to obtain an order for a Quantitative Hep B Surface Antibody Titer:
- Through your primary care provider, or
- If you do not have a primary care provider, you can use one of the following resources:
-
Husky Health, UW Seattle campus health center. Please call (206) 685-1011 to schedule (identify yourself as an HSIP participating student)
-
Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinics (Do an internet search for “Urgent Care Clinics/Walk-in Clinics near me.”)
-
Student online lab orders
It is the student’s responsibility to verify insurance coverage of titers.
Submitting your titer in your CastleBranch account:
Upload the full lab report. The lab report must include your full name, date of collection (blood draw date), result and a numeric interpretive reference range. An immunization summary is not acceptable; a full lab report is required.
Non-Reactive/Negative Hepatitis B Titer: Next Steps
If your Quantitative Hep B Surface Antibody Titer (HBsAb-QN) is non-reactive/negative/equivocal:
-
Upload the lab report into your CastleBranch account.
-
Get an additional Hep B vaccine dose ASAP. HSIP recommends getting a Heplisav-B vaccine;* however, any Hep B vaccine is acceptable.
-
Get a repeat quantitative hep b surface antibody titer 1 month following the vaccine dose.
You do not need to complete a full second HepB vaccine series unless the repeat titer is also negative or equivocal.
If your repeat HBsAb-QN titer is non-reactive/negative/equivocal, new alerts will be created for you to receive the rest of the second vaccine series. Submit completed doses as received.
*Heplisav-B vaccines can be received through your primary care provider, the student health center on the Seattle campus, Husky Health, or a local pharmacy. Husky Health’s phone number to schedule is 206-685-1011 (identify yourself as an HSIP participating student).
Undocumented Hep B Vaccine Series
In accordance with CDC guidelines for healthcare workers and HSIP policy, a documented full Hepatitis B vaccine series is required followed by a post-vaccination HBsAb titer.
Individuals who cannot provide written documentation of a complete hepatitis B vaccination series should complete the series. HSIP recommends getting the Heplisav-B 2-dose vaccine series. Individuals should be tested for HBsAb immunity 1 month after the final dose. HBsAb titers drawn prior to completion of a full documented vaccine series are not acceptable.
Submit each dose into your CastleBranch account as it is received, a new action for the next dose/titer will be created with a new due date. You are considered temporarily compliant while completing the series as long as each new due date is met. The HBsAb titer should be drawn 1 month after completion of the series.
Hepatitis B Non-Responder
An individual is considered a Hepatitis B non-responder once they have completed two documented Hepatitis B vaccine series followed by a negative/equivocal HBsAb titer. Hepatitis B non-responders must complete the following steps; please request forms from the HSIP at myshots@uw.edu.
-
Complete a Hep B Surface Antigen Titer (HBsAg)
-
If the antigen titer is negative, then your provider needs to complete the HSIP Hepatitis B Non-Responder Counseling Form.
-
If your antigen titer is positive, then your provider needs to complete the HSIP Acute-Chronic Infection Counseling Form.
-
Complete the Student Acknowledgement Form indicating your non-responder or Hepatitis B infection status and your understanding that additional Hepatitis B vaccination is not required.
Once you have completed the forms, please submit them directly to HSIP at myshots@uw.edu.
Hepatitis B Chronic/Acute/Past Infection
Individuals with a known history of chronic or acute Hepatitis B Infection should complete the following steps; please request forms from the HSIP at myshots@uw.edu.
- Obtain your most recent Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) titer lab report.
- Please have your provider complete the HSIP Acute-Chronic Infection Counseling Form.
- Complete the Student Acknowledgement Form indicating your Hepatitis B infection status and your understanding that additional Hepatitis B vaccination is not required.
Once you have completed the forms, please submit them directly to HSIP at myshots@uw.edu.
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
Requirement Description
Students are required to provide documentation of a current Tuberculosis (TB) screening in accordance with CDC recommendations for healthcare personnel and HSIP policy. TB screening is used to detect TB infection and is not a vaccine. A current TB screening is required to be completed by the designated dates required by your program and available in your CastleBranch account instructions.
TB screening should be completed prior to administration of any live vaccines (MMR or Varicella); otherwise wait 28 days after the live vaccine administration.
TB screening can be met through one of the following methods:
- IGRA blood test preferred for all students (either a QuantiFERON Gold or T-Spot lab test)
- Students with a history of receiving the BCG vaccine against TB should get the IGRA test to avoid a false positive PPD skin test.
- Lab report required, refer to documentation requirements.
- Refer to the Titers and TB Screening section on the HSIP webpage for IGRA testing resources.
- TWO separate TB skin tests/PPDs – First PPD placement and reading 48-72 hours later equals ONE PPD skin test. A SECOND PPD skin test must be placed between 1-3 weeks after the first PPD is read.
- BOTH PPD tests must be submitted in the same file upload. The HSIP TB PPD Skin Test Form is recommended to ensure all required documentation is included.
- Full name, date each PPD skin test was placed, date each PPD skin test was read, and results documented as a measurement in millimeters.
Positive TB Screening
Students with a previous or current positive TB screening results must complete and submit the following:
- Documentation/proof of positive screening (one of the following)
- Positive IGRA result (either a QuantiFERON Gold or T-Spot lab test) or
- PPD result 10 mm or greater or
- HSIP Positive TB Screening Form completed by a healthcare provider.
- Chest x-ray radiology report completed after positive TB screening AND after January 1st of your program entry year.
- Note: If documentation of a completed course of prophylactic antibiotic therapy, including medication name and dates of administration is provided, then chest x-ray may be older.
- HSIP TB Symptom Survey (TBSS) Form
- Note: For annual TB renewals, an updated TBSS form is required. Repeat IGRA/PPD testing, and chest x-rays are not required unless indicated.
TB Risk Assessment
A baseline individual TB risk assessment must be completed upon entry into your program. The risk assessment can be useful in interpreting TB test results.
The HSIP TB Risk Assessment Form is required in addition to the TB screening requirement. Please complete the form fully and provide yes/no answers for each question. Submit the form into CastleBranch under the TB Risk Assessment to-do requirement.
Vaccine Exemptions
Exemption Request Due Dates
Exemption requests for required Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP) vaccines must be requested upon admission into your school/program by the date listed below. Exemption requests for the autumn vaccine requirements, influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are also due by this date.
|
Admission Quarter to HSIP Participating Program |
DUE DATE for Submitting Exemption Request* |
|
2025 Winter |
September 30, 2024 |
|
2025 Spring |
January 30, 2025 |
|
2025 Summer |
March 31, 2025 |
|
2025 Autumn |
June 30, 2025 |
|
2025 Winter |
September 30, 2025 |
*Students accepting admission after the due date will have 10 days from their acceptance date to submit an exemption request.
Medical exemption requests may be submitted after the due date if you have a change in your medical condition. Contact the HSIP at myshots@uw.edu if you have questions.
Medical Exemption Requests
Vaccine medical exemption requests must be submitted by the exemption due date based on your admission quarter into your HSIP participating program. Students with new or worsening health concerns may submit a medical exemption request at any time.
Medical exemption requests are reviewed by the HSIP medical director for medical validity. Additional testing, medical consultation, and/or documentation may be required to receive an exemption.
Instructions for submitting a vaccine religious accommodation request: Complete the Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP) Participant Medical Exemption Request for Required Vaccines form and submit it to HSIP at myshots@uw.edu. Do not upload a request into CastleBranch.
Please note: Antibody titers will be required for MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B vaccine exemptions to verify immunity status even if a vaccine exemption is approved. TB screening is not eligible for exemption.
Religious Exemption Requests
Vaccine religious exemption requests must be submitted by the exemption due date based on your admission quarter into your HSIP participating program. Students may submit a vaccine religious exemption request after the due date; however, programs may not be able to accommodate late requests.
Religious accommodations for required HSIP vaccines must be approved by the student’s school/program.
Instructions for submitting a vaccine religious accommodation request: Complete the Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP) Participant Religious Accommodation Request for Required Vaccines form and submit it to HSIP at myshots@uw.edu. Do not upload a request into CastleBranch. The HSIP manager will forward your request to your program’s designated program executive for review.
Please note: Antibody titers will be required for MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B vaccine exemptions to verify immunity status even if a vaccine exemption is approved. TB screening is not eligible for exemption.
Non-Religious Vaccine Declination Requests
Due to the nature of health sciences training programs, non-religious vaccine declinations are not accommodated by health sciences programs participating in the Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP). Please contact your program directly if you have questions regarding personal non-religious declinations.
Exception: Students enrolled in HSIP participating School of Public Health MPH programs may request a non-religious vaccine declination; however, accommodations of an approved declination will require students to complete practicum/capstones in a non-healthcare setting. Contact the HSIP at myshots@uw.edu for information.
Treatment & Coverage of Costs Related to Blood & Body Fluid Exposures
Exposure Treatment & Coverage of Costs at Non-UW Medicine Sites
Students on rotation at a non-UW Medical site who have a blood or body fluid exposure during a clinical or practicum experience, should be seen at the nearest ER and use their personal insurance for treatment. HSIP will pay or reimburse any uncovered costs after the student’s insurance is billed first.
- Health sciences students are not employees while they are engaging in education-related activities at clinical sites and are, therefore, not covered by workers’ compensation at either the clinical site or UW. Treatment for exposures is NOT considered an on-the-job injury since students are NOT employees at clinical training sites.
- Follow-up care after an initial evaluation for an exposure should be arranged through the UW Campus Employee Health Center (EHC), if indicated. Contact UW EHC at emphlth@uw.edu or call 206.685.1026. If the exposure occurs outside the Seattle area, please contact HSIP at myshots@uw.edu for assistance with arranging follow-up care, if indicated.
- HSIP assistance with medical expenses is only for BBP exposure; it does not include other types of injuries or illnesses that may be related to your clinical or practicum experience.
- HSIP does not cover after-insurance reimbursement for exposures related to international travel. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and carefully review the terms of supplemental travel insurance prior to each trip.
- Students are eligible for the reimbursement described in this section only if they are enrolled and have paid the HSIP fee.
If your insurance does not cover all the costs associated with post-exposure care, or if you have questions about reimbursement for expenses related to a BBP exposure, needlestick or sharps injury, please contact HSIP staff by email at myshots@uw.edu and note in the email subject line: “Reimbursement Question.” Alternatively, you can leave a voice mail message at 206.616.9074.
For more information about what to do after a BBP exposure, needlestick or sharps injury, see the Bloodborne Pathogens page.
Exposure Treatment & Coverage of Costs at UW Medicine Sites
Students on rotation at a UW Medicine site (UW Medical Center, UW Northwest Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, UW Dental Clinic, or other UW Medicine site) who have a blood or body fluid exposure during a clinical or practicum experience, should be seen immediately at those sites corresponding Employee Health Center during regular business hours Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Follow-up care after an initial evaluation for an exposure should be arranged through the UW Campus Employee Health Center (EHC), if indicated. Contact UW EHC at emphlth@uw.edu or call 206.685.1026.
- Students will not be billed for costs of exposure care performed at any UW Medicine Employee Health Centers.
- After hours students at a UW Medicine site should be seen at the nearest ER and use their personal insurance for treatment. HSIP will pay or reimburse any uncovered costs after the student’s insurance is billed first. Health sciences students are not employees while they are engaging in education-related activities at clinical sites and are, therefore, not covered by workers’ compensation at either the clinical site or UW. Treatment for exposures is NOT considered an on-the-job injury since students are NOT employees at clinical training sites.
CastleBranch Troubleshooting
Tips for Uploading Files
Tips to ensure successful uploading of your documents into CastleBranch:
- Chrome is the preferred web browser.
- Convert photo files into PDF files to decrease the file size. Files must be 5 MB or smaller.
- Upload files from your computer or flash drive using the Browse link at the bottom of the to-do action (fax/mail is not recommended).
- You must upload into each to-do action in your CastleBranch account.
- Documents saved in the Document Center are not accessible by administrators.
- If a submission is listed as Pending for more than 48 hours, try submitting it again.
Contact HSIP at myshots@uw.edu to assist with troubleshooting.
Rejected Submissions
Items rejected in CastleBranch are missing required documentation components. You may review the rejection reason by clicking on the + icon next to the requirement name in your CastleBranch to-do list. The rejection reason will be at the top of the dropdown.
Remediating your rejected submission:
- Review the full requirement instructions in your CastleBranch to-do action.
- Review the required documentation components to ensure your submission meets the criteria (e.g., your full name must be on the document).
- Contact HSIP at myshots@uw.edu for assistance. Do not contact the CastleBranch vendor.
Temporary Compliance – Vaccine Series in Progress
You are considered temporarily compliant if you are between vaccine doses, or waiting to complete your Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer. The requirement will show as incomplete in your CastleBranch account with a future due date. You are considered temporarily compliant while completing the vaccine series as long each new due date is met, and documentation has been been submitted and accepted into CastleBranch.
Submit each dose as it is received and a new action for the next dose/titer will be created with a new due date. The due date listed in CastleBranch is the date you should get the next vaccine dose in the series. For the HepB titer the due date represents the date you should plan to get the titer drawn.
Students with overdue or rejected items past the due date are considered non-compliant.
Downloading a PDF CastleBranch Summary
Instructions for downloading an immunization summary from your CastleBranch account: CB Immunization Summary.
If you have difficulty accessing your CastleBranch Immunization Summary, please contact HSIP at myshots@uw.edu for assistance.
CastleBranch Customer Service
Contact CastleBranch for questions regarding account set up or technical issues only.
CastleBranch Service Desk: Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8 am – 8 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).
- Phone: 1.888.723.4263
- Email: customerservice@castlebranch.com
For questions regarding HSIP requirements or rejected submissions in CastleBranch, please contact HSIP directly at myshots@uw.edu.
