Colleges and universities are settings in which the spread of communicable diseases among students is a frequent occurrence. The University of Washington has developed policies to focus on diseases that can be prevented by vaccines and screening for other treatable communicable diseases. The goal of these policies is to protect UW campuses from outbreaks of infectious diseases, minimizing a campus outbreak, not on individual health safety. A secondary goal is to educate students about other vaccinations to promote/protect general health.

Students must meet the UW immunization requirement for Measles, Mumps, and Meningitis.

 

Immunization Requirements

REQUIRED VACCINE STUDENTS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE VACCINE DETAILS
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine All incoming matriculated students taking in-person classes *

Specific vaccination requirement:

  • 2 doses of MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart, after 12 months of age

OR

  • laboratory evidence of immunity (titers) to both measles and mumps.

Students born before 1957 are considered immune to measles and do not need to provide MMR immunization data (or lab evidence of immunity).

A +/- 4-day window on dates will be used for either birthday or for the timing of vaccinations.
Meningococcal Meningitis ACWY vaccine Students who are under 22 years of age (as of the first day of the first quarter of enrollment)

Specific vaccination requirement:

  • at least one vaccination on or after 15 years of age.

Students over the age of 22 (as of the first day of classes for the enrolled quarter) do not need to provide Meningococcal vaccine information.

A +/- 4-day window on dates will be used for either birthday or for the timing of vaccinations.

* These requirements do not apply to individuals enrolled for one quarter only such as Summer Quarter, non-matriculated students, Professional Development Center program participants and youth participating in pre-college outreach programs.
 

UW Tri-Campus Immunization Requirement
Learn more about the UW Tri-Campus Immunization Requirement. For questions about the immunization requirement, email immunity@uw.edu.

Satisfying the Requirement

To show proof of immunization records, all students will submit their documents through a service called Med+Proctor. To login, sign-in with SSO using your UW NetID. Then, follow these steps:

  • Confirm your date of birth and then agree to the End User License Agreement by writing your full name and clicking ‘agree’.
  • At this point you will be asked if you would like to join MPPro for $10, which is NOT required in order for you to upload your documents. Click ‘I don’t want expedited service’ if you do not wish to sign up for that additional service within Med+Proctor.
  • To submit your documents, click the Documents page and follow the directions on the webpage to upload documents. Click ‘Submit’.
  • You will receive an email from Med+Proctor within 48-72 hours with either a satisfaction confirmation or additional steps to take to satisfy the requirement.

For a more in-depth explanation of these steps, visit the UW Med+Proctor tutorial or email immunity@uw.edu.

Submit Proof of MMM Vaccinations Using Med+Proctor
 

Deadline

Students should submit their Measles, Mumps, and Meningitis documentation by the 2nd week of classes of their entering quarter, or they will not be able to register for their second quarter.
 

Unsure of where to begin?

There are ways in which you can begin to satisfy the requirement:

  • If you know you’ve never received a dose of MMR, or know if you’ve only had one dose, you should:
    • Get the MMR vaccine.
    • You will need to take two doses taken at least 28 days apart in total to satisfy the requirement.
       
  • If you know you’ve had at least one dose of MMR before but can’t find your records, request your immunization records from your provider or from the state immunization registry where you received the vaccine. Make sure your records show your full name and date of birth, the vaccine names and dates administered.
  • If you know you’ve had two doses of MMR before but can’t find or don’t have access to your records, you can get titer tests (blood tests) for measles and mumps to prove immunity.
    • Titer tests are blood tests that verify immunity to certain diseases, including measles and mumps. Titer tests are an option if you are unsure if you ever received vaccines for measles and mumps, or if you are unsure if you’ve received one or two doses before. You will need to have two titer tests done: one for measles and one for mumps. Positive titer test results satisfy the measles and mumps requirement.
    • Titers do not exist for meningitis.
 

There several locations around Tacoma, including clinics and pharmacies, that offer free and low-cost options for the MMR and Meningitis ACWY vaccines in the Tacoma that students without health insurance can access if needed.

Free and Low-Cost Vaccine Resources

Free Vaccines via Tacoma Pierce County Health Department

Review the flyer below for where to access free vaccines for adults in the Tacoma area. The vaccines are free, however they vary by clinic and some clinics may charge an administration fee. Call the clinic directly to make sure they have the vaccine you need and if/what administration fee(s) are associated with the free vaccine.

Flyer from Tacoma Pierce County Health Department

Pharmacies

Pharmacies typically accept a variety of insurance plans, but call ahead to check if the pharmacy takes your insurance, what the cost will be with or without insurance, the vaccine availabilities, and to make an appointment.

  • Safeway Pharmacy

    1112 S M St, Tacoma, WA 98405 – 1.2 miles from campus

    Phone: (253) 572-7753

     
  • Walgreens

    2024 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403 – 1.8 miles from campus

    Phone: (253) 272-2311

     
  • CVS Pharmacy

    3320 S 23rd St, Tacoma, WA 98405 – 2.4 miles from campus

    Phone: (253) 414-0303

     
  • Costco

    2219 S 37th St, Tacoma, WA 98409 – 2.9 miles from campus

    Phone: (253) 671-6002

     
  • Bartell Drugs

    3601 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406 – 2.9 miles from campus

    Phone: (253) 761-1248
Sea Mar Clinic

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington state. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services.

1112 S Cushman Ave Tacoma, WA 98405 – 1.2 miles from campus
Phone: (253) 593-2144

https://www.seamar.org/pierce-medical-tacoma.html

Neighborhood Clinic

1323 S Yakima Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405 – 0.6 miles from campus
Phone: (253) 627-6353

https://neighborhoodclinictacoma.org/

  • Low income/many free services
  • Open 2 days a week
  • Only offers the MMR vaccine, not Meningitis
  • Lab services offer Measles and Mumps titers
Community Health Clinic

Community Health Care is a private, non-profit organization that currently operates six medical and behavioral health clinics, four dental clinics, and six pharmacies throughout Pierce County and provides medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health services to patients. No one is denied care due to inability to pay. If you are uninsured or under-insured, we offer a sliding scale based on family size and income.

1202 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Tacoma, WA 98405 – 0.9 miles from campus
Phone: (253) 441-4742

https://www.commhealth.org/services/medical-clinics/hilltop-family-medical-clinic/

  • Accepts many insurance plans
  • Sliding scale/payment plans
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What records can I submit?

The UW MMM Immunization Requirement form, filled by a health care professional, is accepted as proof of immunization, but if you are not able to have it signed, we will accept the below options as equivalent proof.

We accept: 

  • Immunization records from a clinic or hospital
  • K-12 transcripts that show immunizations
  • Official handwritten immunization booklets
  • The recommended Proof of Immunity form with a medical professional’s signature
  • Pharmacy prescription documents/receipts for vaccinations
  • State or country government documents. For vaccinations taken in Washington state, you can use the website MyIR.
  • Military students: we accept forms DD214 and DD2766, which you can find on the website eBenefits.
  • COVID-19 vaccination cards

Every document must have the student’s name and date of birth, vaccination date and brand, and must be verified by either a medical professional or an immunization report. It must be a legal, official report.

What specific information do my records need to show?

Records must have the student’s name and date of birth, clear dates of when vaccines were received, and clear names of which vaccines were received.

Why were my records rejected?
  • No name or a different name than what is in the student database; no date of birth to corroborate identity.
  • MMRs taken before you were 1 year old.
  • MMRs taken closer than 28 days apart.
  • Meningitis ACWY taken before you were 16 years old. If you received your first dose younger than 16 years of age, you will need a booster dose. If you have not had it before 16 years of age, you do not need a booster.
  • Meningitis ACWY taken in China, as that version might not be the most effective. (Versions taken in Hong Kong and Taiwan are acceptable.)
  • Meningitis B vaccine taken instead of the ACWY variant.
  • No medical professional’s signature on the document. Official immunization records, such as MyChart or MyIR documents, or pharmacy prescription slips, are acceptable.
  • Illegible handwriting on the document: Vaccinations need to be clearly labelled.
  • Not having enough Measles or Mumps vaccines. We require two of each, through two MMR vaccines, two individual Measles and two Mumps vaccines, or a combination.
  • Having indeterminate or negative Measles or Mumps titers. Note: Rubeola is the other name for Measles. Rubella is German Measles and is not required.
  • Students must communicate with their healthcare provider to send their titers results or obtain the test results. The test results need to be submitted to the portal.
What if my records are in a language other than English?

Students may transcribe into English any pertinent information (vaccine names, dates, student name, date of birth, provider name, provider contact info) by hand directly onto documents themselves before submitting.

How do I submit my records?
Who can I talk to with questions about my records and the status of my records?

This requirement is handled by the Immunity Verification Program team, based in Seattle campus. Email questions to immunity@uw.edu or call 206-616-4672. Due to high email and call volumes, you may have to wait for your email response or voicemail. Include in your email and/or voicemail your name, student ID number, a good call back phone number, and a little bit about your concern. The staff will get back to you within 1-3 days. Wait times vary based on the time of year or quarter.

Are there any additional recommended vaccines I should get?

In addition to required vaccines students are encouraged to review the additional, recommended vaccines below. These recommended vaccinations are provided for general health information. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provide specific indications/recommendations for each of these vaccines, which you should discuss with your healthcare provider.

  • Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
  • Varicella (chicken pox)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Polio
  • Annual influenza vaccine (flu shot)
  • Serogroup B Meningococcal (may be recommended if at increased risk)
How will I know my immunization status?

Please check your UW email for updated information regarding your immunization requirements status.