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 Immune 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

COVID-19 updates:

OHSU requires immunizations for its students in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from the State of Oregon. Students must comply with OHSU pre-entrance immunization requirements per Policy 03-30-150 and Policy 02-90-010, and remain in compliance for the duration of their enrollment at OHSU. 

This means that all admitted students must provide proof of full COVID-19 immunization or receive an approved medical or religious exception prior to the start of the academic program. Admission into OHSU academic programs are considered conditional until proof of full vaccination is provided or a medical or religious exception is approved by OHSU. If students have not met the COVID-19 policy requirements by 21 calendar days prior to the first day of their academic program, their conditional offer of admission to OHSU will be withdrawn and they will be unable to take courses or start their programs of study or other academic activities.

Students admitted into non-clinical programs who have received exceptions will be required to complete COVID-19 testing as specified by OHSU and will receive additional direction related to required safety standards and practices. OHSU does not allow unvaccinated students to participate in in-person direct patient contact or in simulation activities involving in-person direct contact with standardized patients, and as such, entry into clinical programs for unvaccinated students will be prohibited.

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 your 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.