- What immunizations do I need?
- What does “documented proof” of immunity mean?
- What should I do if my immunization records are lost or unavailable?
- My doctor says I only need one measles immunization. Is this true?
- Why do I need two mumps vaccines?
- What's the difference between the Td and the Tdap vaccines?
- In my country, a rubella immunization is required only for females. Is this true for MIT?
- Will you accept my mother’s word that I was immunized for measles, mumps, and rubella?
- How many shots are included in the hepatitis B immunization?
- Can I receive the hepatitis B shots at MIT Medical?
- The result of my blood titer was “equivocal” or “borderline.” Do I need another immunization?
- What do I do if the result of my blood titer is too low?
- What if I cannot take vaccines for medical reasons?
- What will happen to me if there is a local outbreak of a communicable disease to which I am not vaccinated?
What immunizations do I need?
A complete list of required immunizations is on page 4 of the Student Medical Report Form. MIT has specific requirements for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, and varicella (chicken pox). MIT bases its requirements on guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
What does “documented proof” of immunity mean?
What should I do if my immunization records are lost or unavailable?
You can have special blood tests called “antibody titers” to show that you have immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and Hepatitis B. But you’ll still need to get a tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) booster, and, if you’re in the higher-risk group, a Mantoux TB test for tuberculosis.
My doctor says I only need one measles immunization. Is this true?
No. Based on guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, MIT requires proof of two measles immunizations, both administered after January 1, 1968, at least one month apart, and after your first birthday.
Why do I need two mumps vaccines?
After an outbreak of mumps on several college campuses in 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association began strongly recommending that students entering college have proof of two doses of a mumps or MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine or proof of immunity through blood testing. This is also part of the guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
What's the difference between the Td and the Tdap vaccines?
The Td vaccine protects you only against getting tetanus and diphtheria. The Tdap vaccine protects not only against those two diseases, but also against pertussis (whooping cough)—a highly contagious respiratory illness that often leads to other, more serious, illness. You may have been immunized against pertussis as a child, but by the time you enter college, your immunity has probably worn off. By Massachusetts state guidelines, all entering students must have proof of a Tdap vaccination within the past 10 years.
In my country, a rubella immunization is required only for females. Is this true for MIT?
No. Rubella immunity is required for both male and female students. All MIT students must have a rubella immunization or a blood titer that proves immunity.
Will you accept my mother’s word that I was immunized for measles, mumps, and rubella?
No. We require medically documented proof of immunity—either documentation of immunization or blood titers that show immunity.
How many shots are included in the hepatitis B immunization?
Three. You should get the second injection 28 to 60 days after the first injection, and you must get the third injection at least six months after the first injection.
Can I receive the hepatitis B shots at MIT Medical?
You should get the first two injections before coming to MIT. If you don’t have time to complete the third injection at home, you can receive it after you arrive at MIT. However since this is a pre-entry requirement, you will have to pay for the vaccine yourself. It will not be covered by the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP).
The result of my blood titer was “equivocal” or “borderline.” Do I need another immunization?
Yes. You will need another immunization to boost your immunity.
What do I do if the result of my blood titer is too low?
You will need another immunization to boost your immunity. If you are an incoming HST student, you also will need a second blood titer one month later. The second blood titer must show sufficient immunity.
What if I cannot take vaccines for medical reasons?
What will happen to me if there is a local outbreak of a communicable disease to which I am not vaccinated?
