Immunization Requirements

Dakota Wesleyan University requires all student born after 12-31-56 to provide medically signed proof of:

1. TWO properly administered MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccinations
2. Immune titers for Measles (Rubeola), Mumps and Rubella (German Measles)
3. Written notice from the student’s health care provider that the student has a hypersensitivity or anaphylactic response to the MMR serum

Official documentation from a physician’s office, department of health, high school or other university is acceptable.

If you have documentation of only one MMR immunization, the required second immunization may be administered not less than one month after the first immunization.

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 training and nursing students
2. A Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine for serogroups A, C, Y and W-135
3. A Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine for serogroup B
4. Documentation of two doses of Varivax, or provide results of a blood test on a laboratory form, or documentation from a doctor recording the chicken pox disease. Mandatory for athletic training and nursing students
5. One dose of adult Tdap, or Td following within 10 years of the adults Tdap. Mandatory for athletic training and nursing students
6. A single or two-injection dose of COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson)
7. An annual influenza vaccine

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. Td or Tdap is required every 10 years after most recent Tdap.

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 (Hep B Surface Antibody)

• 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 Dec. 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). It is highly recommended that students 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.