Immunization Requirements

Dakota Wesleyan University requires all graduate and undergraduate students who were born after 1956, and who are taking six or more credit hours on the Mitchell, Huron and Sioux Falls sites, to present written confirmation from their family physician that the student has one of the following:

1. documentation of two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine or one dose of MMR plus a second dose of measles vaccine, separated by a minimum of 30 days; or
2. medical documentation of having had measles, mumps and rubella, or the presence of immune antibody titers; or
3. written notice from the student's health care provider that he/she should not receive an MMR immunization at this time.

Students born after 1956 who are unable to comply with one of the above must be re-immunized.

Dakota Wesleyan University also requires each student to have a documented TB (Tuberculosis) Skin test done within the past year. If the student has had a positive TB skin test in the past, a copy of the most recent chest x-ray must be submitted with the physical.

Dakota Wesleyan University, in compliance with the American College Health Association and the South Dakota Department of Health, recommends that incoming students have the following vaccines:

1. The series of three Hepatitis B vaccines. Mandatory for athletic trainers and nursing students.
2. A Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine (for serogroups C, A, Y, and W-135).
3. A Varicella (chickenpox) vaccination series if a student does not have a reliable history of proof of chickenpox.
4. Immunization of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) booster every 10 years. Diphtheriae and poliomyelitis should also be up to date.

These diseases are preventable. Ask your health care provider about receiving these vaccines.

Student Health Form and Physical Evaluation Form are required.  Forms can be downloaded from the mandatory health forms page.

Documentation of ONE of the following:

• A two-step TB skin test; OR
• A QuantiFERON test (blood draw); OR
• If a student presents documentation of a TB skin test completed in the previous twelve (12) months, a one-step TB skin test is acceptable. Example: If a TB skin test was completed in June of last year, a one-step TB skin test must be completed by June 30 of this year. If the TB skin test is done after June 30 of this year, then documentation of the two-step TB skin test or a QuantiFERON test is required. 

Provide a copy of immunization records or lab reports to document ONE of the following:

• Two MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccines; OR
• If there is only one documented MMR, the student needs to have a 2nd MMR vaccination; OR
• Documentation of titers (blood tests) indicating immunity to all three infections; OR
• Medical documentation of an allergic reaction that would prevent MMR vaccination

Documentation of a Tdap injection is required. 

ONE of the following is required:

• History of the disease can be noted in Section II Medical History on the Student Physical Form; OR
• Documentation of a Varicella titer (blood test) showing immunity; OR
• Documentation of two administered doses of Varicella vaccine

Hepatitis B Vaccine Series  

• Provide documentation of completing the three dose series.  
• A student without documentation is required to have the first dose to be permitted to attend clinical experiences. Student will complete the remaining two doses and provide documentation of each dose.

Hepatitis B Titer 

• After the vaccine series is completed, documentation of a positive titer is required.  
• If titer is negative, contact the campus nurse or the department of nursing for the procedure to follow.

Provide documentation of flu vaccination by November 1 of each year.

Copy of the front and back of a major medical insurance card is required by DWU.
Students who do not have private insurance coverage will be required to purchase insurance.

CPR certification must be current throughout the nursing program. A copy of the student’s CPR card showing completion of the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers CPR course is required.

Provide a copy of current CNA certification before starting the first nursing course (NUR216). Student is required to keep CNA certification current during the nursing program.

LPN-BS Nursing Program students are required to provide a copy of current South Dakota LPN license.