Immunizations & Health History

IMMUNIZATIONS

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).
  • Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR).
  • Varicella vaccine (chicken pox) OR the month and year the student actually had chicken pox.
  • Meninngococcal vaccine


DATES of vaccination are required for these immunizations. (Health history form)

Additionally, it is recommended that students be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B due to communal living conditions in the residence halls. The need for these vaccines should be discussed with you family doctor prior to attending the university. On the Student Health History Form students only need indicate if they have been immunized for these illnesses to complete Ohio law requirements. Annual influenza vaccine is also recommended.

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 the Internet or through Student Life/Student Health Clinic for students with religious or medical reasons why they should not be immunized.
>>> Immunization exemption form

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

STUDENT HEALTH HISTORY FORM

ALL students attending Bluffton University are required to turn in a completed health history form and immunization requirement form that should be received in the admissions packet or are available online. These forms must both be on file for treatment at the Student Health Center.
Health history form (pdf)
Immunization requirements form (pdf)

IMPORTANT NOTE: IT IS RECOMMENDED STUDENTS MAKE A COPY OF THESE FORMS BEFORE SUBMITTING TO THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER.

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