Immunizations & Health History

IMMUNIZATIONS

Student health history and immunization forms are located on my.Bluffton.edu in the Day One Ready section. These forms must both be submitted to receive treatment at the Student Health Center.

University requirements:

Bluffton University desires that students successfully pursue their academic endeavors in a community-healthy environment.

Due to dense student population in classes, activities and residence halls the university requires four vaccines for diseases that are mostly air-born in transmission (received by sharing the same air) in order to participate in campus activities.

  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine (TDaP) within 10 years
  • Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) two doses
  • Varicella vaccine (chicken pox) two doses, OR the month and year the student actually had chicken pox.
  • Meninngococcal vaccine, after 16 years of age

Recommended:

Additionally, due to communal living conditions in the residence halls, it is recommended that students be vaccinated for:

  • COVID-19
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Annual influenza

The need for these vaccines should be discussed with you family doctor prior to attending the university. On the Immunization Form students only need indicate if they have been immunized for these illnesses to complete Ohio law requirements.

The vaccines the university requires should be part of student’s normal health care; they are already standard recommendations for students by the Center for Disease Control and the American College Health Association.

More in-depth explanations of these vaccines is available at:
CDC – http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/index.html

INTERNATIONAL & COMMUTER STUDENTS
NOTE: The SAME health requirements apply to ALL STUDENTS. All health forms must be completed before coming to campus. It is generally LESS expensive to do these at home.

RELIGIOUS/MEDICAL EXEMPTION FOR HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
A form is available on my.bluffton.edu in the Day One Ready section for students with religious or medical reasons why they should not be immunized.

WHERE DO I FIND MY IMMUNIZATION RECORDS?

  • Family doctor’s office
  • High School health records
  • Local health department clinic records
  • Personal immunization records card, usually held by parents

If students are unable to find their immunization records, “proof” of immunization and protection from the disease can be obtained by a blood test ordered by your doctor.

LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
If immunizations are needed, these area health departments do offer immunization clinics. It is recommended to call before going to the health department to find out available times and dates of service.

ALLEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
219 E. Market St.
Lima, Ohio 45801
419-228-4457

HANCOCK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
1644 Tiffin Ave.
Findlay, Ohio 45840
419-424-7869

IMPORTANT NOTE:
IT IS RECOMMENDED STUDENTS MAKE A COPY OF THESE FORMS BEFORE SUBMITTING.

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