Wellness Center
Wellness Center - Immunizations
Bethel College follows the guidelines provided by the American College Health Association (ACHA) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The following immunizations are required at Bethel College and verified proof must be submitted prior to class attendance.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
All college students born after 1956 need two doses one month apart. The first dose is usually administered between 12-15 months and the second 4-6 years later. - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (DPT)
Primary childhood series. - Diphtheria, Tetanus (Td) or Tetanus, Diphteria, Perussis (Tdp)
Booster every 10 years. - Polio Vaccine (OPV or IPV)
Primary childhood series. IPV may be necessary for international or students involved in international travel.
Recommended Immunizations
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
If no history of disease, 2 doses one month apart. - Hepatitis B
Series of three doses. - Meningococcal vaccine (meningitis)
One dose every 3-5 years.
Tuberculosis Screening (TB)
This is not a vaccine. Proof of a TB test is needed within 12 months before attending classes if the student is considered in a high-risk category. Tine tests will not be accepted; only PPD (Mantoux) tests are acceptable. PPD tests are required regardless of prior BCG inoculation. A positive (TB) test will require a chest X-ray and evaluation for medication.
The American College Health Association has published guidelines on (TB) screening of college and university students. These guidelines are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Thoracic Society. For more information visit www.acha.org or www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/corecurr
Categories of high-risk students include
- Students who have arrived within the past five years from countries where (TB) is endemic. It is easier to identify countries of low rather than high (TB) prevalence. Therefore students should undergo (TB) screening unless they have arrived from the following countries: Canada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, US Virgin Islands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, American Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Those infected with HIV.
- Intravenous drug users.
- Persons who have resided in, volunteered in, or worked in high risk congregate settings such as prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, residential facilities for persons with AIDS, and homeless shelters.
- Those with conditions such as diabetes, chronic renal failure, leukemia, lymphoma, low body weight, gastric bypass and similar stomach or intestinal surgeries, chronic malabsorption syndromes, prolonged corticosteroid therapies or other immunosuppressive disorders.
*The information provided in this website is for educational and informational use only. It does not provide medical or psychological advice and is not intended to replace the services of a trained medical or psychological professional. Please discuss health and mental health concerns with your healthcare provider.
