All registered students who will have a presence on campus must comply with Massachusetts and Harvard University regulations requiring proof of immunization against certain communicable diseases. Massachusetts and Harvard University immunization requirements are strict and may differ significantly from other states and countries.
You are required to submit documentation within 10 days of registering for any course with any on-campus presence, which is defined as being registered in an:
- on-campus course
- on-campus or online course, if you plan to attend class on campus
- online course with a required on-campus weekend
- on-campus active learning weekend
This requirement also applies if you are taking online-only courses this academic year, and:
- wish to obtain or use a class participant library card to gain on-campus access to Harvard libraries.
- are a degree candidate or premedical program participant and wish to obtain or use your Harvard ID card to access on-campus resources.
This requirement does NOT apply if you are registered in online-only courses and never plan to come to campus; it ONLY applies if you will be coming to campus.
Is COVID required?
Beginning with the Summer 2024 term, Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) will no longer require students receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
We strongly recommend that all members of the Harvard community stay up-to-date on COVID vaccines, including boosters if eligible. Additionally, we continue to emphasize the benefits of wearing a high-quality face mask in crowded indoor settings and remaining at home if unwell.
HUHS considers state and federal guidance, along with advice from the University’s public health experts, in responding to COVID-19. We will continue to monitor public health data and will periodically review requirements.
Other Required Immunizations
In compliance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Harvard University immunization regulations, if you will have an on-campus presence, you must submit proof of immunizations against additional communicable diseases. Have a Certificate of Immunization Form completed by your health-care provider, and upload it to the “Other Required Immunizations” Subtask in your MyDCE account.
The immunizations that must be certified on the Extension School Immunization form include:
- Flu: one immunization after July 1, 2023
- Measles (Rubeola): two immunizations on or after the first birthday, at least one month* apart.
- Rubella (German measles): two immunizations on or after the first birthday, at least one month* apart.
- Mumps: two immunizations on or after the first birthday, at least one month* apart.
- Varicella (chickenpox): a history of varicella disease certified by physician or two varicella immunizations at least one month* apart, on March 1, 1995, or later
- Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis: one dose of “Tdap” every 10 years; only acceptable vaccines are Adacel, Boostrix, or adult acellularpertussis booster. Vaccinations older than 10 years will not be accepted
- Hepatitis B: three immunizations. The first and second dose must be at least 1 month* apart. Third dose should be 6 months* after first dose.
- Meningococcal: Harvard requires this immunization for all students who are between the ages of 16 and 21. ACWY vaccine ONLY. Meningococcal B vaccines will NOT accepted in lieu of ACWY. Those 22 and older do not need this immunization
*One month is equal to 28 days
Documentation of a blood test proving immunity to measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, and/or varicella (chickenpox) is acceptable in lieu of immunizations. If you do not need to be immunized against hepatitis B because you have had the disease or have a chronic carrier form of it, you must provide documentation of appropriate laboratory tests or a letter from your physician.
If you were born in the United States before 1957, you may waive the requirement for proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. If you were born in the United States before 1980, you may waive the requirement for proof of immunity to varicella (chickenpox).
Instructions for uploading immunization documentation
- Have a Certificate of Immunization Form completed by your health-care provider
- Log in to your MyDCE account and select the “Meet the Immunization Requirements” Task.
- Under the “Other Required Immunizations” subtask, click to attach your document.
- Submit the subtask for review.
Exceptions and consequences
The only circumstances that may exempt you from these regulations are as follows:
- Providing written certification from your physician that your health would be endangered by one or more of the immunizations (in which case, you will be required to submit laboratory evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, varicella [chickenpox], and hepatitis B as an alternative to proof of immunization),
- Or providing a signed statement that the required immunizations conflict with your religious beliefs. (In this case, it is recommended that you present evidence of immunity as described above.)
In either case, if there is an outbreak on campus of any of the diseases specified on the current Extension School immunization form for which you have not submitted acceptable documentation, you will be administratively withdrawn from classes.
Other Required Immunizations FAQs
Q: How do I request a medical or religious exemption?
A: Requests for medical or religious exemptions for other immunizations are reviewed by the Enrollment Requirements team. Please fill out the Student Vaccine Exemption form and upload through your MyDCE portal.
If you are submitting a medical exemption, you will need certification by an examining physician that you are not medically eligible for the selected vaccination along with your exemption form.
In either case, if there is an outbreak on campus of any of the diseases specified on the current Extension School immunization form for which you have not submitted acceptable documentation, you will be administratively withdrawn from classes.
Q: I just began MMR, Hep B, and/or Varicella vaccination series. I won’t complete the series before classes begin. Will this affect my registration?
A: We understand that students who are just now beginning certain immunization series‘ will not have time to complete them before classes begin.
As long as you have taken all the immunizations that are possible within the specified time frame/schedule stated on our Immunization Form, your immunization status will be sufficient for the semester you are registered for. Note that you will be expected to be fully immunized by the time you begin a new semester.
Q: What are the consequences if I have missing or outstanding immunizations?
A: Outstanding or missing records will not affect your current registration. However, if there is an outbreak on campus of any of the diseases specified on the current Extension School immunization form for which you have not submitted acceptable documentation, you will be administratively withdrawn from classes.
While outbreaks are unlikely, we ask students to be aware of these potential consequences.
Q: I have alternate medical documentation from my doctor. Can I submit that instead of the immunization form?
A: We do accept alternate immunization documentation if it is certified by a health-care provider or medical records official and is in English. Your alternate documentation must still demonstrate compliance with the Massachusetts and Harvard University immunizations regulations. Specific information on these regulations is available on our the Extension School Website.
If you cannot provide documentation of each required immunization, there are several diseases for which you can have a blood titer that will evidence whether or not you have immunity to them (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, and Varicella). You need to provide the Extension School with the proof of these blood titers by uploading them through your MyDCE portal. For the diseases that do not allow blood titers (Meningococcal, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis), you must receive the vaccinations again and provide the proof.
