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. 2016 Aug-Sep;64(6):490-5.
doi: 10.1080/07448481.2016.1138481. Epub 2016 Jan 30.

Varicella immunization requirements for US colleges: 2014-2015 academic year

Jessica Leung  1 , Mona Marin  1 , Victor Leino  2 , Susan Even  2   3 , Stephanie R Bialek  1
Affiliations

Varicella immunization requirements for US colleges: 2014-2015 academic year

Jessica Leung et al. J Am Coll Health. 2016 Aug-Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To obtain information on varicella prematriculation requirements in US colleges for undergraduate students during the 2014-2015 academic year.

Participants: Health care professionals and member schools of the American College Health Association (ACHA).

Methods: An electronic survey was sent to ACHA members regarding school characteristics and whether schools had policies in place requiring that students show proof of 2 doses of varicella vaccination for school attendance.

Results: Only 27% (101/370) of schools had a varicella prematriculation requirement for undergraduate students. Only 68% of schools always enforced this requirement. Private schools, 4-year schools, northeastern schools, those with <5,000 students, and schools located in a state with a 2-dose varicella vaccine mandate were significantly more likely to have a varicella prematriculation requirement.

Conclusions: A small proportion of US colleges have a varicella prematriculation requirement for varicella immunity. College vaccination requirements are an important tool for controlling varicella in these settings.

Keywords: Chickenpox; college; immunization; vaccination; varicella.

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