Pre-entrance immunizations

Before starting your OHSU program, you will need to meet all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization guidelines for health care workers. These are meant to provide a safe environment for students, employees and patients at OHSU and participating clinical and research training sites. OHSU requires the following:

• Complete the Immunization Status Form (check with your program for the deadline).*  
  • This is not required for School of Nursing students.
• Review the list of required vaccinations and tests
• Need help finding where to get your immunizations?  View a list of immunization resources

Can I request an immunization exemption?

In rare cases, students may be exempt from immunizations for medical reasons. If you have a medical condition and need an immunization exemption, complete and submit a vaccine exemption form to Student Health and Wellness Center for review. You must include a written explanation from a health care provider. Please keep in mind:

Students who don’t meet immunization requirements may not be able to engage in the clinical or practicum portions of their program.  

Non-medical immunization exemptions are not allowed per Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).

COVID-19 vaccinations

OHSU strongly recommends that all OHSU members, regardless of their work location or job function, remain “up-to-date” with COVID-19 vaccines, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under the revised policy as of June 12, 2023, all students must be “fully vaccinated” or “up-to-date” with COVID-19 vaccinations OR they must submit a declination form via Enterprise Health and adhere to Student Health’s current requirements designed to minimize COVID-19 transmission. New students wishing to submit a declination should do so when they receive their network login credentials (usually about 30 days before the start of your program).

To support incoming students during the COVID pandemic, OHSU’s Student Health and Wellness Center (SHW) is now providing pre-entrance immunizations, titers and tuberculosis screening tests since some students may not be able to obtain these requirements prior to matriculation. Please still make every effort to safely obtain pre-entrance requirements prior to matriculation. However, if you still need additional services after matriculation, you can contact SHW by calling 503-494-8665, option 1 to schedule a Virtual Visit with one of our providers and we will assist you in completing any outstanding requirements. Please note that pre-entrance vaccinations, titers, and tuberculosis screening tests will be billed to your insurance and any remaining balance not covered by insurance will be the responsibility of the student.  

*Begin your Hepatitis B immunization series as soon as possible, since it takes 7 months to complete if you are starting from scratch. Three shots and an antibody titer showing immunity are required.

*You MUST complete these requirements prior to the deadline. If you have not completed them by 14 days after matriculation, a $95 fee will be charged. If you are not compliant with all requirements within 30 days, a hold will be placed on your student account that will suspend your student status and prevent you from registering and attending classes.  

*Confidentiality and reporting of compliance: Student Health is charged with overseeing overall campus health. In accordance with federal (FERPA) guidelines and OR SB1558, students submitting the Immune Status Form agree to allow Student Health to share compliance-only information with their academic program. Only the designation of compliant or not compliant is shared with your academic program.

Current students: log into Enterprise Health to view or print your immunization records.

Contact us: Email shwcompliance@ohsu.edu, call 503-494-8665, or fax 503-494-2958.

Student Health Insurance Plan or Comparable health insurance, and current approved waiver

OHSU requires all eligible students to carry major medical and dental insurance for every day they are here.

Option A: Student Health Insurance Plan

OHSU will automatically enroll you in the current student health insurance plan with PacificSource and the associated fees will be added to your student account. Your coverage will begin with the 1st day of the term period in which you are registered.

Learn more about the PacificSource Student Health Insurance Plan

Option B: Comparable coverage and approved waiver

If you already have comparable health insurance and want to continue it while at OHSU, you must apply and be approved for a waiver to avoid being automatically enrolled in and charged for the Student Health Insurance Plan. Please review the OHSU waiver requirements before you apply. Waivers are submitted via a secure online system.

Please note:

• There are separate waivers for major medical and dental.
• There is a strict deadline for submitting your waiver. The completed waiver application must be received by USI, our insurance broker, by the waiver deadline that is specified each term. This deadline is in alignment with the registrar's 100% refund date. If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait until the following term to apply for a waiver.
• Waivers expire at the end of each academic year (typically September). You will need to re-apply each year if you continue to have comparable coverage.

Patient registration and dates of eligibility

You will first need to register as a patient at OHSU in order to be seen at our clinic.

Call patient registration at 503-494-8505 and tell them you are either an OHSU student or an OHSU postdoctoral fellow.

Call 503-494-8665, Option 1 to schedule an appointment.

You are eligible to begin accessing Student Health services at the start of the insurance term period, regardless of whether you have the Student Health Insurance Plan or have waived out.