For College Students and Administrators

College students and staff need certain immunizations. This page provides immunization information and resources for both college students and administrators.

For Students

Off to College? Make Sure You Are Up to Date On Your Vaccines

Check with your school to see which vaccines you need before starting classes. Every schools’ requirements are different.

Required or Recommended Vaccines for Students

• Measles (MMR)
• COVID-19
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Chickenpox
• Meningococcal (MenACWY)
• Meningococcal (MenB)
• Flu (Annually)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Immunization records for students

• MyIRMobile provides your immunization history in Washington. It also gives you a schedule showing any vaccines you need.
• Sign up for MyIRMobile at MyIRmobile.com to view and print your immunization information, including COVID vaccination.
• If you have immunization records from another state or country, show them to your health care clinic to get them entered in the Washington state database. Then you can see them online in MyIRMobile.
• For additional ways to access vaccine records: Access your Family's Immunization Information | Washington State Department of Health

Vaccine stories

Meet a Washington Meningitis B Survivor

Kaley Dugger got sick with meningitis B in 2004 when she was seven years old. She survived! She graduated from Seattle University and is a strong advocate for both meningococcal vaccination and people with disabilities. Read Kaley's Story and make sure you get vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

"I wait desperately for the day that no one dies from this preventable disease. Until then, I plan to raise awareness about meningitis and encourage everyone to consider vaccinating against this deadly threat." - Kaley Dugger

A Washington mom's message about meningococcal disease

"Bacterial meningitis killed my daughter, Nadia. I don't want it to happen to you or someone you love. You can help prevent meningitis by getting vaccinated with meningococcal vaccines." - Karin Willett

Karin believes there are three things college students can do to stay healthy: 1. Keep informed on health issues. 2. Adopt healthy habits. 3. (Most importantly) GET VACCINATED!"

Read Nadia's Story and make sure you get vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

"Through this horrendous experience of seeing my child suffer and then die, I must do something. My dream is to help just ONE CHILD and their family not go through this devastating disease. I must try to help eliminate meningitis from the face of the earth! We must work together!" – Karin Willett

For Administrators

Washington State's Meningococcal Education Mandate

As of July, 1, 2004, Washington law requires certain colleges to inform students about meningococcal disease and the vaccine. Is your college following this law RCW 70.54.370?

About the law

Public and private colleges in Washington that offer on-campus or group housing must provide information on meningococcal disease to each first-time student. Community and technical colleges must provide information only to students offered on-campus or group housing.

The college will work with the Washington State Department of Health on preparing their meningococcal information materials.

• Information given to first-time students about meningococcal disease must include:
  • Symptoms, risks, elevated risk due to group living arrangements, and treatment
  • Current meningococcal vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including where students can get the vaccination; however, the college is not required to provide the vaccination to students
  • For electronic enrollment or registration of first-time students, this information must be provided electronically and acknowledged by the student before they complete electronic enrollment or registration.

  Meningococcal information materials

  • Sample text (Word) that colleges can give to first-time students to meet the requirements of Washington State's Meningococcal Education Mandate. Customize this template with your college's information and logo.
    Russian (Word) | Spanish (Word) | Vietnamese (Word)
  • Email or print the Meningococcal Flyer “Off to College?” for new students to learn about meningococcal disease and prevention. Off to College? (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Ukrainian (PDF)

  Meningococcal resources for your college

  Information about meningococcal disease and prevention to raise awareness among students.

  • Meningococcal B Vaccine Information Statement
  • Meningococcal Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know (CDC)

  Vaccine resources for your college

  Want your college to be a champion for immunizations? Here are more toolkits and resources to help you promote flu and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on your campus.

  Flu

  • Flu Free Washington Partner Toolkit | Washington State Department of Health
  • Getting Your Annual Flu Vaccine (wa.gov)

  HPV

  • HPV vaccine is cancer prevention
    Learn more about HPV, cancers caused by HPV, and the vaccine for HPV from the Department of Health.
  • HPV Vaccine Information Statement and ResourcesVaccines for college students and young adults (Vaccines.gov)
  • Vaccines for college students and young adults (19 to 26 years old) (CDC)
  • Young adults (Healthychildren.org)
  • Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens (immunize.org)

  Colleges can Benefit from Using the Immunization Information System

  

  The Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS) is a statewide web-based system that helps healthcare providers and schools ensure Washington residents of all ages are immunized. Your college can use the IIS if there's a healthcare provider on staff. Learn more about accessing the IIS and enrolling your institution.

  Additional resources

  • IIS training materials
  • Recorded training webinars