Immunization Requirements

Dear UMB Students,

We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to inform you about a significant change in our immunization tracking process that will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our compliance measures. Starting April 2024, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) will transition from Castle Branch to EXXAT for all immunization tracking.

This change represents our commitment to providing a streamlined experience for you, our students, ensuring that we continue to meet Maryland law and public health recommendations efficiently.

What to Expect:

  • Welcome Announcement: In the coming days, you will receive an email from EXXAT to your UMB email address. This email will contain detailed instructions on how to access and navigate EXXAT using your assigned UMID and password. Additionally, EXXAT can be accessed through your SURFS accounts.
    • Wait at least two weeks to receive an invite email from EXXAT.
  • Transfer of Records: It is important to note that your immunization data will not be automatically transferred from Castle Branch to EXXAT. You will be responsible for uploading all required immunization documentation to ensure compliance. For those who have utilized Castle Branch in the past, you will have access to your records and will need to download and re-upload them to EXXAT.

Action Required:

  • Self-Upload: Please begin the process of uploading your immunization documents to EXXAT as soon as you receive your welcome email. This proactive approach will help us identify and address any potential technical issues promptly.
  • Check Program Requirements: Contact your school or program administrators to verify if there are additional compliance requirements specific to your program.

Support:

  • EXXAT Support: For assistance, you can contact EXXAT support at the provided contact details.
  • Student Health: The Student Health team is available to assist with any immunization queries. Visit our website, call, or email us for support.
  • CITS IT Help Desk: For UMID login issues, please contact the IT Help Desk at the provided email or phone number.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we make this transition to EXXAT. This new system will significantly improve our ability to track immunizations, contributing to the health and safety of our community.

Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to our Student Health Center. We are here to support and guide you through this transition.

  • For additional Student Health support, visit the student health website at https://www.umaryland.edu/studenthealth/student-health-center/, call 667-214-1883, or email shealth@som.umaryland.edu.

 

Thank you for your collaboration as we implement this new and improved immunization tracking system.

Are you in compliance ?

UMB Immunization Policy and immunization requirements are based on Maryland law and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control public health recommendations. The policy and the requirements will be reviewed periodically and revised as necessary (Policy). To keep our community healthy, every student is required to comply with the University of Maryland's mandatory immunization and TB testing requirements. Failure to comply will lead to a registration hold on your account, rendering you ineligible to register for future courses.

Mandatory Immunization Requirements

Deadline to submit immunization records: EXXAT standard turnaround time is 3 to 5 business days to review documentation, so please keep this in mind when uploading your documentation prior to the deadline.

  • Spring: March 1
  • Summer: March 1
  • Fall: September 15 [Reminder: Registration HOLDs for Spring 2025 will be placed in September] 

ONLINE STUDENTS:

*** Students enrolled in the online-only program are not subjected to the policy requirements and therefore do not need to create an account or order an immunization package. To ensure clarity and accuracy, We recommend contacting your school/program administrators or reaching out to UMB Student Health directly to confirm this exemption for online-only students. 

An online-only student refers to a student who exclusively participates in their educational program or schooling through online platforms, without engaging in any in-person activities or field experiences throughout the entire duration of their studies. This means that all components of their educational journey, such as coursework, lectures, assignments, discussions, and assessments, are conducted entirely in a virtual environment, without the need for physical attendance. Online-only students typically do not have any face-to-face interactions with instructors, peers, or administrators, and they do not maintain a physical presence on campus or in other educational settings. 


Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) 

One of the following is required:

  • Positive antibody titer for all three components (lab report OR physician verification of results required) OR
  • Two-dose vaccination series administered after 12 months of age

If the series is in process, submit where you are in the series, and new alerts will be created for you to complete the series.

  • You must repeat the two-dose series if you lack vaccination documentation and your titers for all three MMR components are negative or equivocal.
  • You must receive a one-time booster shot if any one of the MMR components is negative or equivocal.

Varicella (Chickenpox) 

A history of disease is NOT acceptable. One of the following is required:

  • Positive antibody titer (lab report OR physician verification of results required) OR
  • Two-dose vaccination series

If the series is in process, submit where you are in the series, and new alerts will be created for you to complete the series.

  • You must repeat the two-dose series if you lack vaccination documentation and the titer is negative or equivocal.
  • You must receive a one-time booster shot if you have documentation of two-dose vaccinations but your titer is negative or equivocal.

Hepatitis B 
(Not required for School of Law students)

  • Completed Hepatitis B vaccination series AND a positive antibody titer (lab report or physician verification of results required) OR
  • A positive antibody titer alone will be accepted (lab report or physician verification of results required). If you have documentation of three vaccines, please submit them along with your titer.

Tetanus 

  • Submit documentation of a Td OR a Tdap booster within the past 10 years. The renewal date will be set for 10 years from the most recent vaccine. You must receive a booster if you lack vaccination documentation.

COVID-19 Vaccine 

Students whose educational requirements involve participating in activities at clinical or field sites are required to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine requirements of those specific sites. Students who do not meet the COVID-19 vaccine requirements of the clinical or field site may be denied participation in activities by the site.

Students may schedule to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by calling 667-214-2233 or schedule online at https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/flushot/ to receive the vaccine at the University of Maryland Campus Health.

 In line with the updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UMB “strongly recommends” students (and faculty and staff) stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine.

Influenza 
Due annually by Nov. 1st 2023

  • Documentation of an influenza vaccine administered during the current influenza season  *required for health science students participating in clinical rotations.
  • Influenza vaccination submissions should be submitted in Exxat. If you do not see a section for influenza in your Exxat account, please contact student health promptly. 
  • Schedule your influenza vaccine here.

Please note: We will no longer be using the COVID-19 Management Portal for Influenza submissions as of 10/1. 

Meningococcal Vaccination 

  • Maryland law requires that an individual enrolled in an institution of higher education who resides in on-campus student housing must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.
  • Students living in UMB on-campus housing (Fayette Square or Pascault Row Apartments) must provide proof of meningococcal vaccination within five years OR a waiver.

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening 

  • Submit negative TB screening results within the past 12 months (PPD skin test, QuantiFERON, or T-spot results are acceptable) AND a completed UMB Student Annual TB Risk Screening Questionnaire. The IGRA TB blood test (T-spot or QuantiFERON Gold) is preferred for this requirement.
  • Any student with a history of POSITIVE TB screening results must:
    1. Submit documentation of the positive TB test IF available.
    2. Submit a negative chest x-ray within five years (CXR has to be dated AFTER the positive PPD or QuantiFERON/T-spot results).
    3. Submit the completed UMB Student Symptom Based TB Screening Questionnaire.
    4. If you completed treatment for positive results, submit documentation of the medication regimen, including the name, dose, and duration of treatment.
    5. Submit medical clearance documentation by Campus Health provider. If needed, you can schedule a visit with Campus Health.

TB screening is an annual requirement, and the renewal date will be set for 12 months from the most recent TB test/form submission date. Upon annual renewal, one of the following is required:

  • If you previously submitted a negative IGRA/PPD, you must submit the UMB Student Annual TB Risk Screening Questionnaire.
    • If you answer "No" to ALL TB Questionnaire questions, you are cleared, and this requirement will be marked complete.
    • If you answer "Yes" to ANY question on the TB Questionnaire, you must schedule a provider visit with Campus Health and submit clearance documentation ALONG WITH your TB Questionnaire.
  • OR If you previously submitted a positive test and negative CXR, submit a NEW UMB Student Symptom Based TB Screening Questionnaire to this requirement.  
    • If you answer "No" to ALL TB Questionnaire questions, you are cleared, and this requirement will be marked complete.
    • If you answer "Yes" to ANY question on the TB Questionnaire, you must schedule a provider visit with Campus Health and submit clearance documentation ALONG WITH your TB Questionnaire.

Note to students: Please be aware that your school or program might have a requirement for you to undergo a TB test (either IGRA or PPD) on an annual basis. This requirement is often related to clinical rotations or field placements. To ensure accurate information, kindly get in touch with your school or program administrators for confirmation

OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation  

Your school/program may require completion of the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation AND fit testing and/or training in the event a student needs to wear a respirator as part of the clinical rotation or field experiences. Please contact school/program administrators to confirm.

In the scenario where a student's responsibilities necessitate the utilization of a respirator, there are specific steps to follow:

  1. Completion of OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire Form: Students may be required to fulfill the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire form  as well as undergo fit testing and/or training. Please contact school/program administrators for fit - testing information, student health DOES NOT conduct fit -testing.
  2. Submission to EXXAT  for Review: Once the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire Form has been completed, it should be submitted to the EXXAT.
  3. Follow-up Medical Examination: EXXAT will review the questionnaire responses. If any of the questions in Section 2, Part A, numbers 1 through 8, yield positive responses or if the initial medical examination indicates the necessity for further evaluation, a follow-up medical examination will be required.
  4. Notification and Appointment Scheduling: In the event that a follow-up medical examination is deemed necessary,  EXXAT will contact the student to let them know that the student will need to arrange an appointment with Student Health to assess. This appointment will encompass any essential medical tests, consultations, or diagnostic procedures that the PLHCP deems vital for arriving at a final determination regarding respirator use.
  5. Access to completed and signed Forms: After your medical clearance visit. all completed forms will be uploaded to your medical record. The student will download the completed medical clearance form to EXXAT. You may also access them by logging on to MyPortfolio -> Document Center -> My documents.

Medical Exemption Request 

All requests for exemptions/accommodations must be submitted for verification and review through EXXAT.

Religious Exemption Request 

All requests for exemptions/accommodations must be submitted for verification and review through EXXAT.