Immunizations & Health Screenings

General Recommendation 

• Most adults ages 18 and older should get an annually updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. 

As knowledge regarding COVID-19 and vaccinations expand, the CDC may change recommendations regarding boosters for immunization. As such, the program reserves the right to update booster recommendations accordingly. For the most current CDC recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccination, please visit the following website: Stay Up to Date with Vaccines.

Two-dose vaccination given at least 28 days apart 

OR

Serologic evidence of immunity

One dose of influenza vaccination between September 1 - October 31 annually.

Two-dose (Heplisav-B) or three-dose (Engerix-B, PreHevbrio, or RecombivaxHB) Hep B vaccine regimen on a routine schedule (Twinrix three- and four-dose series are also acceptable)

AND   

Anti-HBs a minimum of 1-2 months after series completion.* 

* If anti-HBs are negative, the student is required to receive an additional two-dose (Heplisav-B) or three-dose (Engerix-B or Recombivax-HB) Hep B vaccine regimen on a routine schedule, followed by repeat anti-HBs testing.

If anti-HBs remain negative after two complete series, the student is considered a “non-responder” and should be tested for the HepB surface antigen (HBsAg) and counseled by a primary care provider.

MenACWY (required): 

Two-dose vaccine regimen, given on a routine schedule at 11-12 years and 16 years of age. 

• If you have not completed the primary vaccination series in the pre-teen/teen years, as above, you should get one dose of MenACWY.  Per CDC recommendations, a student does not need a booster if the initial dose is given at or after 16 years of age.  

MenB (elective): 

Two-dose or three-dose vaccination series, preferably given at 16-18 years of age. 

• MenB is considered by the program an elective vaccination and administered at the discretion of the student and his/her healthcare provider based on certain risk factors or coexisting conditions. Please refer to the Elective Immunizations section below for additional details.

Boosters (elective):

Booster of either MenACWY and/or MenB in the presence of certain risk factors or coexisting conditions. Please talk to your healthcare provider to determine if you need either meningococcal booster. Please refer to the Elective Immunizations section below for additional details.

Two-dose vaccination given at least 28 days apart

OR  

Serologic evidence of immunity to ALL the individual components to the vaccine

One-time dose of Tdap 

AND 

Td or Tdap booster every 10 Years thereafter.

Lipscomb University may NOT grant medical or religious exemptions on behalf of students to healthcare providers or systems requiring COVID-19 vaccination or other immunizations of students who participate in supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE). As such, this may adversely affect a student's ability to participate in SCPEs and, ultimately, in graduation. All students must sign a Vaccine Release/Indemnification Form acknowledging the risks. 

 The School of Physician Assistant Studies will require a COVID-19 Immunization Questionnaire for updated COVID-19 vaccination status. However, submission of proof of COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., vaccination card) is VOLUNTARY. Lipscomb University cannot require students to provide such proof of vaccination. However, students may be required to submit such proof directly to third-party clinical or experiential education sites as mandated or allowed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  Accordingly, students should also complete a Voluntary Submission: Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Form.

To balance the values of public health, individual rights, and legal obligations, the School of Physician Assistant Studies endeavors to put forth the protocol for religious and medical exemptions from current immunization requirements that may be established by a third-party provider or facility. This protocol outlines the process for students to seek religious or medical exemptions to certain vaccination requirements in cases where such exemptions are permitted by law and the policies of clinical facilities.* 

The Lipscomb University School of Physician Assistant Studies (LUSPAS) immunization and exemption protocols are designed to complement and work in alignment with Lipscomb University's overarching immunization requirements and exemption protocols. These protocols aim to support, not replace, the university’s standards, ensuring PA students meet both university and program-specific health and safety requirements essential for clinical experiences.

Process for Requesting Exemptions

Religious Exemptions:

1. University-Required Immunizations

   • For measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella, and meningococcal vaccinations, students may request a religious exemption by completing the institutional form, which is available through Lipscomb University Health Services.

   • For consistency and to avoid redundancy, the LUSPAS will rely on this form for any applicable religious exemptions.

2. Program-Required Immunizations

   • For influenza, hepatitis B and tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccinations, students may additionally request a religious exemption by completing the Immunization Exemption Request (Religious) Form. 

In keeping with the university's faith-based values, students are not required to elaborate on the basis of their religious exemption. However, they must certify their request under penalty of perjury, and the certification must be notarized.

Medical Exemptions:

For medical exemptions, students must complete the Immunization Exemption Request (Medical) Form, which requires certification by a licensed healthcare provider, who must attest to the specific medical contraindication(s) preventing the student from receiving certain vaccines.

Facility-Specific Policies

Some clinical facilities may not permit any exemptions or may have additional requirements. Students are responsible for adhering to the specific vaccination and exemption policies of each clinical site. The LUSPAS will provide guidance to students on these requirements, but it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to comply with site-specific vaccination policies to ensure clinical placement.

Program-Required Documentation

After completing the applicable exemption form, the student must submit copies of the documentation to the LUSPAS and upload an executed copy of each form into myRecordTracker (mRT) to verify exemption from the respective immunization requirement.

Protocol Modifications

This protocol may be subject to change based on updates to university policies, state laws, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, or clinical facility requirements. 

*It is worth noting that Lipscomb University will generally not process religious or medical exemptions for COVID vaccinations that may be required by a third-party provider or facility in connection with a student’s practicum. Instead, the provider or facility must process any such exemption. 

There are additional vaccinations that may be considered and recommended by the treating medical provider, if indicated, based on the presence of certain risk factors. Decisions to pursue these vaccinations remain the sole discretion of the student and their medical professional.  As such, any elective immunizations are not considered a program requirement. Elective vaccines may include but are not limited to, the following:

• HPV Vaccine

• Shingles Vaccine

• MenB 

• MenACYW and/or Men B Boosters

Additional routine vaccinations given during pregnancy are not a program requirement. Additional vaccinations may be indicated and recommended by the student’s obstetrician based on the presence of certain risk factors. The decision to pursue these vaccinations remains the sole discretion of the student and their medical professional. For more information regarding immunizations and pregnancy, please refer to the CDC website: Pregnancy and Vaccination.

PA students will be required to undergo comprehensive TB screening both at matriculation and prior to entry into supervised clinical practice experience as stated below.  TB screening requirements will include risk assessments, symptoms evaluation, and TB testing as follows:  

TB Risk Assessment & Symptom Evaluation:

• Submission of the completed TB Screening & Evaluation form, signed by a medical provider.

TB Testing:

• Two-step Testing: Two separate Mantoux PPD skin tests done 1-3 weeks apart

OR  

• Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) TB blood test

The TB Screening & Evaluation form and all related testing should be completed prior to, yet within three (3) months of matriculation.

Other Considerations:

1. People born outside of the United States may have been vaccinated with Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine for TB. While people vaccinated with BCG may have a TB skin test, it may cause a false-positive reaction. As such, any individuals with a history of BCG vaccination should be screened with IGRA.

2. If TB testing is positive, chest x-Ray and medical evaluation are required to determine latent vs. active TB infection. (Chest x-ray is considered protected health information and will not be viewable to Faculty/Staff.) 

3. Repeat TB testing prior to entry into supervised clinical practice experience should be the same as the type of test as the original screening. However, for those choosing Mantoux PPD, only one TB skin test is required for the repeat exam.

Students are required to provide acceptable documentation for immunization requirements and TB screening/testing as follows:

Vaccination Records:

• Documentation from your health care provider's office or community health department that clearly shows your name, and name of vaccination, and date(s) of administration.

Serologic Evidence of Immunity:

• Quantitative or qualitative titer lab report that clearly shows your name, name of the test, and results.

Tuberculosis Screening:

• TB SCREENING & EVALUATION form (signed by your provider)

AND 

• TB Testing

> If TST – Documentation from health care providers office that clearly shows your name, name of the test, date of placement, date read (48-72 hours from placement), and test result (positive results should be reported in mm)   

OR  

> If IGRA – Lab report that clearly shows your name, name of the test, date of test and test result.

Influenza Vaccination

• Documentation from the providing clinic that clearly shows your name, name of vaccination for the current year, date of administration, and lot number.

Other Accepted Documentation:

• We will also accept a signed and attested letter from your clinician, on original clinic letterhead verifying numbers and dates of vaccinations.  

All costs associated with immunization, boosters, TB screening, and laboratory testing remain the sole responsibility of the student. 

The program does not currently offer international curricular components as part of its educational curriculum. As such, the program has not established specific standards or requirements for immunizations related to international travel.

Students who choose to pursue independent international experiences, volunteer mission work, or travel during their enrollment should consult with their healthcare provider and appropriate travel medicine specialists to determine necessary immunizations and health precautions based on their specific destinations and activities. Students are strongly advised to review current CDC travel recommendations and comply with all applicable state, federal, and destination country health mandates and entry requirements. Students are responsible for ensuring they meet all health and safety requirements for any international travel they undertake independently.