Immunization Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General FAQs

Please review the General Immunization Guide before starting your immunization process. For Medical and GEMS Students, please review the General Immunization Guide for Medical and GEMS Students.

The immunization portal works best with the following web browsers:
–Google Chrome
–Mozilla Firefox
–Apple Safari

If you still can not log in, please email us at hoyavaxa@georgetown.edu.

We recommend that you access your Immunization Portal and input as much information as possible ahead of the deadline. Please also request an extension through the Immunization Portal. After the deadline, registration holds may be placed on your student account. 

While we prefer that you complete the Georgetown University Immunization Form, we accept official immunization records with the following requirements: the records must include the student’s first and last name, date of birth, date(s) of vaccinations, sufficient English translation (if necessary), and a signature/stamp of a healthcare provider (RN, PA, NP, MD/DO). Please note that the name and DOB should be included on each page. If you have questions or concerns about a specific immunization, please send a secure message through the Immunization Portal. Using records other than the Georgetown University Immunization Form can cause a delay in your compliance. Additionally, Medical and GEMS students must use the AAMC Form without exception. 

Yes, you must complete both the paper and electronic immunization forms. If the electronic immunization forms are not completed along with the uploaded documentation, you will not be considered compliant and your registration may be delayed.

Yes. All students, regardless of age, are screened for tuberculosis risk by completing the Tuberculosis Screening Form in the My Forms tab in the Immunization Portal. 
Depending on your TB exposure, some additional testing or screenings may be needed. The screening questions are consistent with the Center for Disease Control and American College Health Association guidelines.

All students, regardless of age, are screened for tuberculosis risk by completing the Tuberculosis Screening Form in the My Forms tab in the Immunization Portal. Additionally, if you log into your account on the Immunization Portal, you may view the required immunizations for your age and program. If you turn 26 prior to the school start dates (September 1 for Fall and January 1 for Spring), only the TB screening form will be required. We recommend that you submit an extension for immunization compliance by sending a secure message in the Immunization Portal to ensure that a hold is not placed on your student account.  

If you are a student continuing your education at Georgetown but in a different program* within the last 7 years, your previous compliance should remain active. Please send us a secure message in the Immunization Portal if you encounter any issues. *If you are now entering as a Medical or GEMS Student, you do have new requirements and will not be compliant until those are met.

All required vaccine series can be completed within a 1-6 month time span (depending on which type of vaccine is administered). If you are in-process of completing one or more vaccine series prior to the start of school or unable to obtain a vaccination at your current residence, please request an extension so that we can provide temporary compliance while you complete your vaccination requirements. Temporary compliance will vary depending upon the vaccine(s) in process. Once an extension expires, if you have not completed your requirements, then you will be considered non-compliant again. This may impact your ability to register for subsequent semesters. 

Please log into the Immunization Portal to view the immunizations required for your age and program. If you have any immunization records (from health records, state health department, or travel clinic), please upload the documents to the Immunization Portal for review. You will receive a secure message in the Immunization Portal if additional information or immunization are required. 

If you are unable to receive any of the required vaccinations prior to your arrival in DC, you can make an appointment at the MedStar Georgetown University Student Health Center (SHC) by calling (202) 687-2200 or by going online. Please note: all services offered at SHC will be billed to your health insurance. If you have the Georgetown University Student Health Insurance (the UnitedHealthcare student insurance), please be mindful of your insurance start date. Please review the Student Health Insurance coverage.
If you feel that you can not complete your immunization by your deadline, please request an extension for temporary compliance while you are completing your requirements. 

Regardless of your vaccine schedule, please have your healthcare provider (RN, PA, NP, MD/DO) complete and sign the paper Immunization History Form with current vaccinations. Upload the completed paper form to the Immunization Portal and complete the corresponding electronic Immunization History Form in the Immunization Portal. You will receive a secure message in the Immunization Portal if additional immunizations are required.

For a new positive TB test, we recommend:
–schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider (RN, PA, NP, MD/DO) to review your result;
–complete a chest X-ray as ordered by your healthcare provider;
–discuss applicable treatment options.
–have your healthcare provider doctor complete and sign the TB testing form;
–upload the completed paper TB Testing Form to the Immunization Portal;
–and complete the corresponding electronic TB Testing Form in the Immunization Portal. 
For a past positive TB test with completed chest X-ray and/or treatment:
–have your healthcare provider doctor complete and sign the TB testing form;
–upload the completed paper TB Testing Form to the Immunization Portal;
–and complete the corresponding electronic TB Testing Form in the Immunization Portal. 

If your most recent tetanus dose has not been given in the last 10 years, you will need a booster.

Most Hepatitis B vaccine series are 3 shots. The two shot series (Heplisav-B) was approved in the US by Dynavax in Nov 2017. If you had Hepatitis B vaccinations before this time frame, it is unlikely that you received Heplisav-B and should have received the 3 dose series, such as Engerix, Recombivax, or Twinrix.

If your first MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and/or Varicella vaccine was administered before your first birthday, it does not count, making you noncompliant. You need to complete one of the following:

– MMR and/or Varicella shot

OR

– MMR and Varicella blood test to prove your immunity to the diseases

– If you are living in a dorm and have never received this vaccine OR if you last received this vaccine before your 16th Birthday you must complete another dose.

        OR

– Sign the meningitis waiver.

Once you have confirmed that the vaccination is required for you, then please go to the electronic “Immunization History Form” located in the “My Forms” tab on Immunization Portal. You will be able to select the Medical Exemption request.  You will need to submit a written letter in English with a signature/stamp of a medical physician (NP, PA, RN, or international equivalents are currently not accepted). The letter must detail: 
–the current vaccine(s) that you have received,
–the exact vaccine(s) that you can not receive,
–the specific medical reason why you can not receive each vaccine (listed separately),
–and the consequences that would occur if you were to receive this vaccine.
The signed documentation and letter should be uploaded in the Immunization Portal. 

Requests for medical and religious exemptions from Georgetown University immunization requirements can be submitted through the electronic “Immunization History” form under “My Forms” within the Immunization Portal. Instructions and requirements are described within the form. If you have any additional questions about either exemptions, please send a secure message through the Immunization Portal.

Medical or GEMS Student FAQs

For Medical and GEMS Students, please review the General Immunization Guide for Medical and GEMS Students.

Per the AAMC form, a quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer of > 10 IU/mL is required. A qualitative serology result (such as “positive”, “immune” or “reactive”) will not be accepted.

If you have documentation of a prior Hepatitis B series and your Hepatitis B serology is low, you will need another Hepatitis B vaccine followed by a repeat blood test for Hepatitis B Surface Antibody serology (a quantitative test to be taken 4-8 weeks following the booster). If you do not have documentation of a prior series, you will need to complete a full series (2 or 3 dose series). We recommend the Heplisav Hepatitis B vaccine if you are requiring additional doses beyond your primary series. If you are unable to complete these steps prior to your deadline, please send a secure message in the Immunization Portal requesting an extension. You will receive temporary compliance while you meet your requirements. 

For students with no prior TB testing or students with a previous negative TB testing, an IGRA blood test (either a Quantiferon Gold or T-Spot) OR a 2-step Tuberculin Skin Test (also referred to as “TST” or “PPD”) is required. For 2 step skin testing the 2nd test should be placed 1-3 weeks after the 1st.

If you have a history of a positive test for TB (either blood work or skin test), please do not repeat your testing. You will need to document your previous testing, a chest X-ray report (dated after your positive test), and any treatment (if received). Please have a healthcare provider (RN, PA, NP, MD/DO) complete the TB Testing Form.

Your influenza vaccine documentation is due December 1st annually. The vaccine needs to have been administered between September 1st through December 1st of the current year. 

Once you have been vaccinated, please sign in to the immunization portal and submit your documentation (JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PDF, BMP OR GIF) via the “document upload” tab at the top of the home screen. Choose “Annual Influenza Vaccine” as the document type, attach the file, and click “save”. You will get a pop up that the submission was successful. Your compliance will update after we have reviewed your submission.

Clinical Nursing Student FAQs

Please review the General Immunization Guide before starting your immunization process.

Yes. You can complete your requirements with a licensed provider or you can make an appointment at the MedStar Georgetown University Student Health Center (SHC) by calling (202) 687-2200 or by going online. Please note: all services offered at SHC will be billed to your health insurance. If you have the Georgetown University Student Health Insurance (the UnitedHealthcare student insurance), please be mindful of your insurance start date. You can find more information regarding the Student Health Insurance coverage here. Please review the Student Health Insurance coverage.

Yes. Please  make an appointment at the MedStar Georgetown University Student Health Center (SHC) by calling (202) 687-2200 or by going online. We do not charge your insurance for the urine drug screen. Instead, it is offered at a fixed affordable cost at the time of your appointment. The special pricing is only for nursing and medical students.

COVID-19 FAQs

Georgetown’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement for the general student population ended on May 11, 2023. Please see Georgetown University guidance regarding COVID-19 Vaccines for more information.