title: Prematriculation immunization requirements of American colleges and universities.
abstract: The authors surveyed a stratified sample of 880 colleges and universities in the United States to assess the status and characteristics of their prematriculation immunization requirements (PIRs). On the basis of a 90% return (796 responses), they estimated that 55% of US colleges and universities had implemented a PIR at the time of the survey. Among schools with PIRs, measles vaccine was almost universally required, with 74% requiring two doses, mumps vaccine was required by 70%, and rubella vaccine by 92%. Hepatitis B vaccine was rarely required and was usually recommended only for students in health-profession programs. The strongest determinant of having a PIR was the presence of a state law or regents' policy. PIRs implemented under the aegis of a state law were, on average, less comprehensive but better enforced. Other factors associated with the implementation of a PIR included membership in the American College Health Association (ACHA), the presence of a student health clinic, and availability of record-keeping personnel.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Student Health Services, Philadelphia 19104-4283.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baughman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D009107:Mumps / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009108:Mumps Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D008458:Measles Vaccine; D009108:Mumps Vaccine; D012411:Rubella Vaccine