In order to comply with Oregon law regarding a second dose measles vaccination for University students, Bushnell University has developed the following policy:
Every full-time student born on or after January 1, 1957 must provide the school with evidence of having received two doses of measles vaccine on or after his/her first birthday with a minimum of thirty days between doses. If month and year of the first dose are not available, documentation of the second dose in or after December 1989 must be provided. The dates must be accompanied by the student’s signature (parent/guardian signature if under 18).
Students may be exempt from the immunizations if:
- Religion beliefs prohibit immunization - By claiming religious exemption, you are agreeing to complete the College Measles Module and attach obtained certification to your immunization form which can be found through the following link: http://public.health.oregon.gov/PreventionWellness/VaccinesImmunization/GettingImmunized/Pages/non-medical-exemption.aspx#college
- A medical condition preventing the use of the vaccine
- documentation of having had the disease is provided.
All full-time students entering on or after this date must provide evidence of immunization in order to register for courses. Bushnell University will use the following procedure to assure compliance: Each entering student will be required to present documentation of immunization or legitimate exemption, either by mail or in person to the Office of Admission located on the 2nd floor of the Morse Event Center before registration. Bushnell University will communicate policy and procedure regarding immunizations to incoming students through the Admission Office, Residence Life, and in the Student Handbook. The Office of Student Life will provide the Registrar and with a list of students who have not proved evidence of compliance. Students who are not in compliance will have a hold placed on their registration until they provide a completed “Immunization Form”.
Risks of Non-Immunization
Immunization is a safe and effective way to protect you against vaccine preventable diseases that can hurt, cripple and even kill. The following three contagious diseases can spread rapidly among non-immunized individuals in a group situation, such as a University campus.
- Measles is a serious disease characterized by rash and moderate to high fever. It can lead to pneumonia, serious ear infections, deafness, convulsions, inflammation of the brain and even death. The severe complications develop in one out of every 1,000 cases; one in ten of such complicated cases will result in death.
- Rubella or German Measles in an infectious viral disease characterized by mild fever and rash. The major risk is to non-immune women who catch the disease early in pregnancy. Such women are likely to have a baby with serious birth defects.
- Mumps is an acute viral disease characterized by fever and by swelling and tenderness of one or more salivary glands. The most common complications are acute inflammation of the testicles (15-20%), ovaries (10-15%), and pancreas. Other severe complications of the disease include deafness from secondary ear infections (1 per 15,000 cases), menigoencephalitis (3.5 per 1,000 cases), and death (1-3.5 per 10,000 cases).
- Meningococcal Disease is caused by bacteria and is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis (infection around the brain and spinal cord). The bacteria spread through the exchange of nose and throat droplets, such as coughing, sneezing or kissing. Anyone can get meningococcal disease. However, college freshmen living in dormitories have a higher risk of developing meningococcal disease than other college students. College community members who notice fever, along with severe headache, stiff neck, rash or confusion should seek health care. Seek emergency care if signs of illness are unusually sudden or severe. Meningococcal bacteria also cause blood infections. About one of every ten people who get the disease dies from it.
- Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. The virus spreads easily through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can cause mild to severe illness. Typical symptoms include a sudden high fever, chills, a dry cough, headache, runny nose, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain. Extreme fatigue can last from several days to weeks. Influenza may lead to hospitalization or even death, even among previously healthy individuals. Students should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu.
Individuals with religious or medical exemptions(s) (except a verified history of disease or blood test, which shows immunity to measles) are not protected against disease(s). In the event of an outbreak, individuals with a religious or medical exemption for the particular disease may be excluded from the University under the direction of the Dean of Students and/or a local Health Office.