Understanding MUSC's Vaccination Requirements & Exemptions: A Guide for Students

MUSC is dedicated to keeping our campus community, including students and patients, safe from preventable diseases. This guide explains the University's vaccination requirements and the process for requesting an exemption if needed.

Why Vaccinations Are Required

To protect everyone's health and safety, especially in clinical settings, MUSC requires students to be vaccinated against several infectious diseases. This is a standard part of your pre-enrollment health requirements managed through Student Health Services.

Required Vaccinations & Proof of Immunity

You'll need to provide documentation to Student Health Services showing you've been vaccinated against or have immunity to:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap)
• Meningitis (A, C, W, Y strains)
• Hepatitis B (required if your program involves potential exposure to blood/body fluids)
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening is also required for everyone.
• Annual Influenza (Flu) vaccine (required by November if you're on campus between November and May).

Requesting an Exemption (Accommodation)

While vaccination is required for enrollment, MUSC understands some students may need an exemption for specific medical or religious reasons. This is handled as a request for a reasonable accommodation. It's not an automatic opt-out, but a formal review process.

Types of Exemptions You Can Request:

1. Medical Accommodation (Disability): If you have a documented medical condition (like an allergy or other health issue classified as a disability) that prevents you from safely receiving a specific vaccine.
2. Religious Accommodation: If receiving a specific vaccine conflicts with your sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances. Note: This is different from personal philosophical or moral objections.

How to Request an Exemption

1. Start the Process: Complete the "Immunization Exemption Request Form" online. This begins the required interactive process. You can find the form here: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?MedicalUnivofSC&layout_id=13.
2. Submit Documentation: Attach supporting documents directly to the online form or send them separately to the Director of University Accessibility Services at ada-support@musc.edu

What Documentation is Needed?

• For Medical Requests: You'll need documentation from a qualified healthcare provider (who can diagnose the condition). This must:
• Verify the medical condition/disability.
• Explain why it prevents you from receiving the specific vaccine(s).
• State how long the exemption is needed.
• Include supporting tests/evaluations.
• A diagnosis alone isn't enough; the documentation needs to clearly link the condition to the inability to be vaccinated. Your provider must fill out the required sections of the form.

• For Religious Requests: You need to provide a written explanation describing:

• Your sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.
• How it conflicts with receiving the specific vaccine(s).
• You do not need a letter from a religious leader or notarization. The focus is on the sincerity of your belief.

When to Submit Your Request:

• As soon as possible! The review process involves interaction and can take up to 4 weeks.
• Submit well before the start of your term to avoid delays in attending classes or clinical work.

Important Considerations

• Annual Renewal: Usually, approved accommodations don't need yearly renewal unless your medical situation changes, the accommodation was time-limited, or you need it for a different academic setting
• Non-Compliance: You must be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption by the time you start at MUSC. Failure to comply can result in being excluded from classes or other required activities.
• During Outbreaks: If a public health authority (like DHEC) declares an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, students with exemptions for that specific vaccine may be excluded from campus and clinical sites for safety reasons until the situation is resolved.
• Clinical Sites: If your program contains a clinical component, your vaccination status could affect your ability to rotate at some site locations and could hinder your ability to complete the program or delay graduation.

If you have questions about the process, reach out to the Director of University Accessibility Services at ada-support@musc.edu. For questions about submitting vaccination records, contact Student Health Services.