Section 216-RICR-30-05-3.6 - Minimum Standards for Immunization and Communicable Disease Testing for Students Entering Colleges or UniversitiesA. Each student, upon entering any college or university in Rhode Island, shall furnish evidence to the administrative head of the college or university (pursuant to the requirements of §3.6.2 of this Part) that the student has been immunized, as required in §3.6.1 of this Part, unless the student is in an exempt category (e.g., documented evidence of immunity).B. For the immunization requirements stipulated in §3.6.1 of this Part, a student who is not in compliance with these requirements shall be excluded from attending college or university classes until the requirements are met, unless the student belongs in an exemption category or is in a waiting period between doses as described in §3.6.3(B) or §3.6.3(C) of this Part.3.6.1College or University Entry: Immunization RequirementsA. Each student, upon entering any college or university, shall furnish evidence as required in §3.6.2 of this Part of having received the vaccines described below: 1. Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Vaccine. Evidence of having received a single dose of Tdap vaccine.2. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines. Two (2) doses of live measles, mumps and rubella vaccine given at least four (4) weeks apart beginning on or after twelve (12) months of age.3. Hepatitis B Vaccine. Three (3) doses of hepatitis B vaccine administered in accordance with ACIP recommendations.4. Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine. Two (2) doses of varicella vaccine given at least four (4) weeks apart beginning on or after twelve (12) months of age.5. Meningococcal Vaccine. Beginning August 1, 2015, one (1) dose of meningococcal conjugate (MCV4) vaccine in the last 5 years is required for previously unvaccinated newly enrolled full-time undergraduate and graduate students (under twenty-two (22) years of age) in a degree program at a college or university who will live in a dormitory or comparable congregate living arrangement approved by the institution.3.6.2Immunization RecordsA. Acceptable evidence of completion of immunizations shall include the day, month, year and type/name of each dose of vaccine administered. The record of such evidence shall be signed by a physician, physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner, or other licensed practitioner acting within his/her scope of practice (the signature of the student's parents is not acceptable). This record may be submitted to the college or university by a health care provider, another college or university, the student, or a parent/guardian.B. For students who initially entered primary school on or before 31 December 1989, existing immunization records shall be deemed acceptable, provided the record contains a valid exemption form or contains documentation that the student has completed the required immunizations.C. Acceptable evidence of completion of immunization consists of: 1. An official immunization record card, school immunization record, Medical Passport, World Health Organization immunization record, or other official immunization records acceptable to the Department; or2. An electronically stored and/or transmitted documentary record (facsimile transmission, computerized record, including, but not limited to, a record on magnetic media or similar record) as may be utilized by a school; or3. Presentation of laboratory evidence of immunity is made in the case of measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox); or4. A physician, physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner, or other licensed practitioner acting within his/her scope of practice signs a statement that the student has a history of chickenpox disease (varicella).3.6.3Provisions for Exclusions, Waiting Periods, and ExemptionsA. Exclusions 1. Students who have not received the minimum number of required immunizations, who are not in a prescribed waiting period between doses, as specified in §3.6.1 of this Part and who are not exempt pursuant to §3.6.3(C) of this Part, shall be excluded from the college or university by the administrative head of the college or university, pending the completion of the required dose(s) of vaccine(s).2. Students upon entering any college or university shall be excluded unless evidence is submitted that the student has received initial dose(s) of required vaccine(s) for college or university entry as set forth in these Regulations.3. The presence of a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak is determined in consultation with the Department. If an outbreak of vaccine-preventable disease should occur, an exempt student shall be excluded from school by the administrative head of school for a period of time as determined by the Department based on a case-by-case analysis of public health risk.4. The college or university shall have a written protocol in place for the exclusion of unvaccinated students in the event of an outbreak. An accurate and current listing of all unvaccinated students shall be maintained by the college or university for this purpose.B. Waiting Periods 1. If, at college or university entry, a student is within a waiting period for the minimum number of doses for a given vaccine, the student shall be enrolled and/or admitted to the college or university. It shall be the responsibility of the administrative head of the college or university or his/her designee to ensure the completion of at least the minimum number of immunizations, following the prescribed waiting period(s) and consistent with the provisions of these Regulations.C. Exemptions 1. A student may be exempt from the immunization requirements described in these Regulations provided that: a. A physician, physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner, or other licensed practitioner acting within his/her scope of practice signs the Department's "Medical Immunization Exemption Certificate" provided by the college/university attesting that the student is exempt from a specific vaccine because of medical reasons, in accordance with ACIP guidelines; orb. A parent or guardian or student (if eighteen) 18 years of age or older completes and signs the Department's "Religious Immunization Exemption Certificate" provided by the college/university, attesting that immunization conflicts with the tenets of their religious beliefs; orc. The administrative head of the college or university or his/her designee signs a Temporary Immunization Exemption Certificate, provided by the college/university, indicating that an appointment with a health care provider for the required immunization(s) has been made. This temporary exemption shall expire on the date of the immunization appointment.216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-30-05-3.6