IMMUNIZATIONS AND CLINICAL COMPLIANCE FACTS AND QUESTIONS
How many forms for immunizations must I complete?
Two forms are required. One form is the Immunizations form for the University of Illinois.
It is required of all students attending UIC, regardless of their program. The purpose of
the form is to ensure that all students at UIC have been properly vaccinated against
communicable diseases. UIC requires proof of vaccination for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, TB,
measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. The main UIC form is turned in to the Office of
Medical Immunizations. The information regarding how to do that is on the form. This
form is mailed to you separately. The main UIC form requires similar information to the
College of Nursing form, so it can be confusing. But remember, THE MAIN UIC FORM HAS
NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COLLEGE OF NURSING IMMUNIZATION
REQUIREMENTS.
What proof of immunization is required for the College of Nursing?
All incoming nursing students must show proof of immunity to several diseases in order to
take courses at the College and also to practice safely in the hospital/clinical setting. The
College of Nursing Proof of Immunity Form can be accessed electronically. Requirements of
students include:
Titers for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and Hep B.
2-step PPD skin test or Quantiferon Gold TB blood test
Current PPD or Quantiferon Gold TB blood test
DT or TDaP within the past 10 years
Proof of childhood polio series or adult booster
Urine drug screen
Background check
Healthcare Provider level CPR (American Heart Association)
I do not have my childhood vaccination records for polio. What should I do?
If you cannot obtain your childhood vaccinations, you will need to be re-vaccinated and send
in proof of re-vaccine for polio.
How do I get titers done?
Many health insurance companies do not cover the cost of blood titers. Some students can
get them done without charge if they work at a hospital or other healthcare agency.
However it is an out-of-pocket expense for most students. Because of this, we have
arranged for special pricing for students to have these tests done. Our recommendation is
to have the titers done at University Health Service, here on campus at UIC. Their contact
information and hours are at the top of the titer request form which is available on line.
What do I do once my blood titers are done?
The University Health Service will contact you with the results of your titers. In the event
that you are not immune to a particular disease, they can advise you about obtaining a
booster vaccine. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN COPIES OF
THE TITER RESULTS AND SUBMIT THEM TO THE STUDENT IMMUNIZATION
TRACKER.
I am a regional student. Is there anywhere else I can go to get the titers done?
The College of Nursing has an agreement with Quest Diagnostics Labs. Students who would
like to have titers done through Quest need to DOWNLOAD AND PRINT the Quest form
online, and then submit pre-payment in the form of a money order to the College of Nursing
as stated on the form. PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE RETURNED AND MAY DELAY YOUR
CLINICAL PLACEMENT.
I had my titers done a long time ago. Is there an expiration date on the titers?
No, titers are acceptable from any time in the past. The titers must be actual lab reports.
One of my measles, mumps or rubella titers is not immune. What do I do?
In the event of non-immune titers, the student must have at least one booster vaccine.
Please contact the clinical compliance coordinator at immunity@uic.edu. You may also refer
to the CDC document link on this website, which clarifies immunization requirements of
healthcare personnel.
My Hepatitis B titer is not immune. I had the vaccine series many years ago. Am I not
immune to Hepatitis B?
You are most likely immune, but immunity to Hepatitis B is hard to detect if the vaccinations
were given more than a year before the titer was obtained.
Can I submit proof of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) instead of DT?
No. The vaccine must be DT, TD, DPT or TDaP. Tetanus toxoid (TT) is not acceptable by
either the University of Illinois or the College of Nursing
What is required for TB screening?
Two PPD (TB) skin tests one to three weeks apart are required upon admission to the
College of Nursing. Once this has been done, annual TB testing is required which consists of
a single PPD skin test. Students can obtain a Quantiferon Gold TB blood test in lieu of
either the 2-step PPD skin test or the annual PPD skin test.
I have had a positive TB test in the past. What do I do?
Students testing positive on a PPD skin test must submit the following:
-Medical letter stating the date of positive PPD and result in mm
-Chest x-ray report dated after the PPD positive date
-Annual TB signs and Symptoms form, completed each year
HISTORY OF BCG VACCINATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF PPD POSITIVE
HISTORY. A LETTER FROM A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL MUST BE SUBMITTED
THAT STATES THE DATE AND REACTION OF THE POSITIVE PPD SKIN TEST. IF YOU
CANNOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF A POSITIVE TEST, THE PPD TEST MUST BE
REPEATED. THIS IS MANDATED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
How do have a urine drug screen completed?
The procedure for obtaining the urine drug screen is different for Chicago students and for
regional students. Please follow the directions carefully. Students are not notified of the
test results of the urine drug screen, unless the results are positive, in which case you will
be contacted by the Program Director. URINE DRUG SCREENS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
Will I need to repeat the urine drug screen while I am a student in the College of Nursing?
Yes, you will need an annual urine drug screen.
How do I get the background check?
Obtaining your background check is a simple process and can be completed on-line. Please
see the flyer included in this packet and follow the instructions. The base cost of the
background check is $52. The College of Nursing has contracted with Certified Background
to assist in obtaining this information. Prior background checks will NOT be accepted. The
College of Nursing will be notified when your background check is completed. Results will be
kept confidential and will be available only to the program coordinator and the Associate
Dean. Of course, you will also have access to the results, as specified on the flyer which is
available on line.
Will I have to repeat the background check while I am a student in the College of Nursing?
No. The background check is required only upon admission to the CON .
How do I get the results of the background check to the CON?
The College of Nursing can access the results of the background check. The results are
reviewed by the Deans of the College of Nursing. Once you have ordered the background
check, no further information is required. The student can also access the results of their
background check from the certifiedbackground.com website.
I have a hold on my registration. Can the College of Nursing lift the hold for me? I am sure
that I submitted all of the correct documents.
Registration holds originate in the UIC Office of Medical Immunizations. The student must
contact them at 312-413-0464 and inquire about missing documents. Most of the time, the
student is missing a current PPD or has an expired DT on file. Once they receive your
updated document, the registration hold will be lifted. Please do not contact the College of
Nursing regarding immunization holds.