Immunization Exemption Information
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT: POLICY AND PROCESS
Stevens requires all on-campus students to be immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., mumps, measles, etc.) before coming to Stevens. All new students must complete all of the required health and immunization documents in the Healthy Stevens portal thirty (30) days before the first day of class (submit by August 1, 2023); returning students do not need to submit an additional record after their first year.
In addition, Stevens strongly recommends students and employees stay up-to-date with Covid-19 boosters, both new and returning students coming to campus for the fall 2023 semester should upload any Covid-19 vaccinations through the Healthy Stevens portal.
If applicable, students may request an exemption from one or more immunizations based on the categories detailed below. There are two categories of exemption for all types of vaccinations:
Medical. A statement from a Physician or Nurse Practitioner is required indicating for which immunizations exemption is requested. The statement must include a diagnosis. If the student is pregnant, the statement must include the due date (this exemption is reviewed to determine the continuation of the exemption). Students approved for a medical exemption may be required to submit a health care provider statement annually which will be subject to review and approval each year.
Religious. A signed statement explaining how the administration of the immunization(s) for which exemption is requested conflicts with bona fide religious tenets/beliefs must be submitted to Student Health Services. Exemptions are not given for philosophical or moral objections to immunization. If a student is under the age of 18 (minor), then a parent/guardian must also sign the statement.
Additional categories of exemption specific to the type of vaccination include:
Immune Status. Serologic evidence of immunity (titer testing) is only accepted as proof of immunity when no vaccination documentation can be provided, or when prior history is questionable. Serologic evidence is only applicable for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, Hepatitis B, and Varicella (chickenpox) antibody titers (blood test). Serologic evidence is not applicable for COVID-19 antibodies. Students are required to submit a copy of laboratory results showing that they are immune to a particular disease listed above. Only positive or immune titer values are accepted; equivocal results are NOT accepted.
Age. Students born prior to January 1, 1957 are exempt from the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination.
Procedures for Submitting an Exemption Request
Please follow the following instructions for submitting an exemption request:·
Vaccine exemption requests must be submitted through the Healthy Stevens portal, together with supporting documentation by July 31, 2023.
Students with exemptions from the vaccine requirement may be subject to reasonable measures and restrictions to promote the health and safety of the Stevens community. At this time, unvaccinated students with approved exemptions from Student Health Services will be permitted to participate in all activities on campus, in classes, and in Stevens-owned or leased properties.
In the event of an outbreak of a communicable disease, Stevens reserves the right to remove students from class or extracurricular activities until the outbreak threat ends. This decision is made in conjunction with local Hoboken Health Department officials and the New Jersey Department of Health.
Stevens will keep individuals’ vaccination information confidential, with vaccination information shared only with pertinent University administrators when deemed necessary for health and safety purposes, to ensure compliance with University policy and to make arrangements relating to a student’s course of study or other programs.