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Immunization Requirements

The State of Colorado Immunization Law (C.R.S. 25-4-901) requires all students to submit proof of immunizations. Students must submit records prior to registering for classes at UNC. Records must be uploaded into the student's admissions portal. Students can access their admissions portal from the Admissions website under the "admitted students" tab at  https://www.unco.edu/admissions/admitted-students/
Please see below for specific immunization requirements.

If you do not have a copy of your immunization record your provider can use the form below to fill out the dates of your vaccines (this form is not required if you have other documents showing proof of vaccination). 

Certificate of Immunization

If you wish to file an Exemption from immunizations, there are two ways to do this:


Option #1. A "Certificate of Medical or Nonmedical Exemption" can be downloaded from CDPHE Vaccine Exemption page. These document should  be completed by the student (If under 18 by the parent) and signed by their immunizing health care provider. This signed document is then uploaded into your Admissions portal. Your exemption must be signed by a provider licensed in Colorado.

Option #2. Complete the Online Immunization Education Module.  The link can be found on the Vaccine Exemption page. The online education module is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
At the completion of the module, you will be given the option to print or save the completion certificate. The Certificate will populate the name, date and time that this process was completed and will not require a signature from an immunizing health care provider. When complete, upload into your Admissions portal.

To access the Vaccine Exemption page, please go to www.colorado.gov/vaccineexemption  

 Please note: If you file exemption from the required immunizations (measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis) and there is an outbreak of any of these vaccine preventable diseases on campus, you may be subject to exclusion from campus and classes for at least 21 days after the last known case. In addition tuition may not be refunded, and if you are living in student housing you will be required to find alternate housing at your expense.

*International students and Graduate students may upload their immunization records by logging into the Admissions Portal.

If your provider does not have a copy of your immunization record we recommend calling your high school or previous universities (if you are a transfer or graduate student) to see if they may still have a copy of your record on file. If you cannot locate records, please call our office or email debra.miller@unco.edu for further instructions.

Tips for Locating Immunization Records

Note: To check if your record has been entered and your registration hold has been lifted, log into Ursa, choose the student tab and then registration status. Check this link every semester prior to your scheduled registration date for any outstanding requirements. We will do our best to get your record entered as soon as possible.

Any student living on campus, must provide an immunization record showing proof of of a meningitis vaccine that covers ACWY within the last 3 years. This includes any student taking classes on-line or through Extended Campus if they are also living on campus. To live in student housing, you must meet the immunization requirements. (The ACWY meningitis vaccine is only required if living on campus, however it is highly recommended by the CDC for all college students. See below for additional information regarding both types of meningitis vaccines).

COVID VACCINE :

The COVID vaccine is not required at this time, but highly recommended. Students are not required to submit COVID vaccine documentation. 

Registration

Here's what you need to register:

  • All Students: University students born after January 1, 1957 must show proof of two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccines, the first administered no earlier than 4 days prior to the first birthday, and the second at least 28 calendar days after the first dose.  If you cannot locate MMR vaccine records, you may submit titer blood test results showing immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. This requirement applies to all students (undergraduate, graduate, and extended studies).

  • All students living on campus: In addition to the 2 MMR vaccines required for all students, those living on campus must have a Meningitis (type ACWY) vaccine given within the last three years (you may decline the meningitis vaccine but may be subject to exclusion from campus in the event of an outbreak).

  • Clinical Nursing Students and Clinical Athletic Training Students: 2 MMR vaccines, 3 Hepatitis B vaccines or a positive titer, 2 Varicella vaccines or a positive titer, TDAP within the last 10 years, and a recent TB test.

Registering for classes

Students are required to submit records prior to meeting with an advisor and registering for classes. There is a hold automatically placed on your account that will prevent class registration.  Please upload your immunization records into your admissions portal along with your other required documents.

Please note: If you are living on campus, you are required to have a current Meningitis vaccine within the last three years. If you have not had this vaccine within the last three years, we offer FREE Meningitis vaccines at the Student Health Center. Documentation of this vaccine will need to be submitted prior to move-in-week in August.

Free Meningitis Vaccine @ Student Health Center!

Many thanks to Sierra's Race Against Meningitis for providing this life-saving vaccine to our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. For more information or to donate go to Sierra's Race Against Meningitis.

Meningitis Vaccine Information

Meningococcal Meningitis can cause serious illness or even death in as little as 24 hours and is highly contagious. College student are at highest risk for contracting Meningitis. Immunization can reduce your risk. Additional information about this disease is available online at the CDC website. Contact your physician to make sure you are fully vaccinated and protected.

The State of Colorado requires a Meningitis vaccine given within the last 3-5 years, for all students living in student housing. For all other University students the Meningitis vaccine is highly recommended. The required vaccine covers strains ACWY. In addition to the required vaccine, we highly recommend having the Meningitis B vaccine series as well. For more information regarding school requirements and recommendations please call the Immunizations Office at 970-351-1919 or email debra.miller@unco.edu.

If you are a freshman living in student housing, you must acknowledge that you have received the vaccine. If you have elected not to have the vaccine, you must still read and acknowledge that you understand the risks of non-vaccination when you complete your housing contract.

The CDC and The American College Health Association recommend a Meningitis booster for all college students if it has been three or more years since your last dose.

Recommended Vaccines for College Students

The American College Health Association, the Center for Disease Control, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have developed a list of recommended vaccines for all college student. To see which vaccines are recommended for you see ACHA Recommended Vaccines for College Students.