Processing times are currently 3-5 weeks. You will be able to attend orientation events and register for classes before you are cleared.
Keeping our campus community safe
First-time UW-Bothell, Tacoma and Seattle must meet the UW Immunization Requirement. The requirement protects the UW community from outbreaks of diseases like measles and mumps. When the majority of UW students are vaccinated against measles and mumps, they shield other students who are unable to be vaccinated due to pregnancy, allergies or compromised immune systems. This is called herd immunity.
Find your requirement
If you are matriculating at Bothell, Seattle or Tacoma for the first time, you must prove that you are immune to certain diseases. Your requirement depends on your program of study and your age. Find the requirement below that pertains to you.
I'm of any age and in a Graduate Health Sciences program
See list of Health Sciences programsI'm under 22 as of the first day of my first quarter
I'm 22 or older as of the first day of my first quarter
Immunization requirement FAQ
Who is a Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP) participant?
Students who are entering certain health sciences programs follow the Health Sciences Immunization Program requirement (HSIP) which is administered by UW Environmental Health & Safety. Pre-health students (undergraduate public health majors, pre-med, etc.) should satisfy the general requirement.
If you are in one of the programs listed below, you only need to satisfy the HSIP requirements. You do not need to satisfy the general requirement.
Seattle HSIP programs
- Dentistry (DDS and most post-doctoral students)
- Medical Laboratory Science/Laboratory Medicine
- MD
- MEDEX
- Nursing (ABSN/BSN/DNP/Certificate)
- Pharmacy Doctorate (PharmD)
- Public Health (MPH/GH/HIHIM/Nutrition)
- Rehab Medicine (DPT, MOT, P&O)
- Social Work (BASW/MSW)
- SPHSC (CoreSLP/MedSLP/AuD/AuD-PhD)
Tacoma HSIP programs
- Social Work (BASW/MSW)
Bothell HSIP programs
None. All Bothell students must follow the UW General Immunization Requirement.
HSIP ensures students enrolled in health sciences academic programs comply with the requirements detailed in UW’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.
Which students don’t need to meet the general immunization requirement?
The following students are excused from meeting the general requirement.
- Students born before January 1, 1957
- Students who previously matriculated at UW (i.e., previously enrolled in any program not on this list)
- UW Summer Youth Programs
- Students admitted for a single quarter, including summer only
- OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute
- UW in the High School
- PCE Certificate Programs
- UW Online (100% online courses only)
- Non-matriculated non-graduate Students
What is the deadline for submitting my Immunization Requirement documentation?
For autumn quarter 2019 entry, students must submit documentation by August 31st. If you submit late, you may have a hold placed on your registration for winter quarter. You can attend orientation and register for classes even if you have not been cleared.
This is a change in policy from previous years.
If you have a registration hold because you have not yet met the UW requirement from a previous quarter and you’re not sure what to do, email immunity@uw.edu to find out what steps you need to take to meet the requirement.
How do I submit my documents?
- Complete the General Immunization Requirement Form on your computer or by hand (legibly). Download the file first if you plan on filling it out on your computer; do not fill it out in your browser as it will not save. The best way to meet the requirement is to take the form to your health care provider to complete together.
- Review your documents to make sure they are complete. Make sure they meet the requirements listed on your My Requirement page. You may scan or take a photo of them with your phone.
- Convert your documents to PDF or JPG files. Here’s how to do this for PC and Mac.
- Merge all of your documents into a single file. Here’s how to merge PDFs into one file in Adobe Acrobat, in Preview, and through your browser.
- Visit the Upload Portal. Enter your information in the required fields and upload your single file. This is the only way to submit documentation. We do not accept faxed or emailed documentation.
- Click Upload. Note that you must submit by August 31, 2019 to avoid a registration hold.
- You will receive an automated email at your UW email account within a few minutes of submission confirming that your documents were uploaded.
- We will contact you at your UW email address within 3-5 weeks to let you know if you have been cleared or if you need to submit additional documents. Please make sure you check your UW email (@uw.edu) regularly. You can register for classes and attend advising & orientation sessions even if you haven’t yet met the requirement.
I have questions. How do I get help?
You can reach us online or in person.
Online
Click on the chat button in the top right corner of this webpage or email immunity@uw.edu
In-person
Seattle campus
Health Promotion Office (to your right as you enter through the main doors)
Bothell campus
Activities & Recreation Center
Tacoma campus
Mattress Factory, Suite 106
Am I eligible for an exemption from all or part of the requirement?
UW does allow students to pursue permanent or temporary exemptions to all or part of the UW General Immunization Requirement. Exemptions must be related to a documented medical issue or a philosophical or religious objection, and require review by a health care professional.
To obtain an exemption form and to begin the process, email immunity@uw.edu with the student’s full name and student ID number, along with information about the reason for the exemption. Parents and family members may assist if the student is under 18.
UW has a separate exemption process than Washington State primary and secondary schools. If you previously had an exemption in K-12, you will still need to complete the UW process.
