Empire State College Immunization Requirement

SUNY Empire State College's policy regarding NYS Public Health Laws 2165 and 2167 is to inform applicants of the requirement at the point of application/admission to the college and to registered students at the beginning of each term.

What are you required to do?

  1. Review the Immunization Requirements for 2165 and 2167 below.
  2. Submit physician-verified vaccination records, or download the Student Immunization Record Form (PDF 112kB) for your physician to complete and submit directly to the college.
  3. To decline vaccination against meningitis, please complete the Meningitis Response Form.
  4. Submit all forms and supporting documentation:
    1. By email: immunizations@esc.edu
    2. By Fax: 518-587-9759
    3. By Mail: SUNY Empire State College, Admissions Office, 111 West Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

For more information, review Immunization Requirement Frequently Asked Questions.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Requirement - Law 2165

Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella through documentation of the following:

Measles (Rubeola):

  • 2 Live doses of the live measles vaccine; the first dose given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday and the second at least 28 days after the first dose; or
  • Serological proof of immunity to measles. This means the demonstration of measles antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • A statement from the diagnosing physician that the student has had measles disease; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services; or
  • If a student is unable to access his/her immunization record from a health care provider or previous school, documentation that proves the student attended primary or secondary school in the United States after 1980 will be sufficient proof that the student received one dose of live measles vaccine. If this option is used, the second dose of measles vaccine must have been administered within one year of attendance at a post-secondary institution.

Mumps:

  • The student must submit proof of one dose of live mumps vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to mumps. This means the demonstration of mumps antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician that the student has had mumps disease; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

Rubella:

  • The student must submit proof of one dose of live rubella vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to rubella. This means the demonstration of rubella antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory (Since rubella rashes resemble rashes of other diseases, it is impossible to diagnose reliably on clinical grounds alone. Serological evidence is the only permissible alternative to immunization.); or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

Meningitis (Meningococcal) Requirement - Law 2167

New York State PHL Section 2167 requires Empire State College to maintain appropriate documentation for each student regardless of age. Acceptable documentation includes any of the following:

  • A vaccine record indicating at least 1 dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last 5 years or a complete 2 or 3-dose series of menB; or
  • A signed Meningitis Response Form (PDF 58kB) indicating that the student will not obtain immunization against meningococcal disease.

If the student has not received meningococcal vaccine within the past 5 years, and does not wish to be vaccinated, then he/she must submit the signed Meningitis Response Form (PDF 58kB).