Immunization Requirements

New students who fail to comply with the immunization requirements listed below will be blocked from registration and will be reported to the Office of the Dean, which may impose additional sanctions. Documentation of immunizations must be submitted at least 30 days prior to registering for the first term of study; late submissions will not be expedited. For more information, consult the Columbia Health website.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

New York State public health law requires that college and university students provide documentation of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). There are several ways to document immunity. In all cases, the Columbia University MMR form should be completed and submitted to the Immunization Office in Alfred Lerner Hall in person, by mail, or by fax. Please note: The MMR form requires a physician's signature.

Meningococcal Meningitis

New York State public health law requires that college and university students receive information from their institutions about meningococcal meningitis and the vaccine that protects against most strains of the disease that occur on university campuses. Students must formally indicate their decision about being vaccinated. Columbia Health provides information on meningococcal meningitis, the vaccine, and how to certify the decision regarding vaccination on its website.

Covid-19

University policy requires that students must provide documentation of being up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible.  Only vaccines authorized by the US FDA or WHO are accepted to meet this requirement.

Please visit the Columbia Health Website for more information.

How to Verify Processing and Compliance

Documents take an average of 7-10 business days to process, and potentially longer during peak periods. All records are processed in the order in which they are received; late submissions will not be expedited. The Immunization Compliance Office will contact only students for whom additional information in needed. To verify processing of records and immunization compliance, you can self-check online in two ways:

  • Log in to SSOL and click the Holds link. If your registration is on hold for any reason, including immunization compliance, it will be reflected here.
  • Log in to Open Communicator from Columbia Health and view your immunization records.

Recommended Immunizations (Optional)

Columbia Health also recommends that students receive all routine childhood vaccinations, an updated tetanus booster, vaccination for hepatitis B (3-dose series), and varicella (chicken pox). Information about receiving these vaccinations is available on the Columbia Health website.