Immunization Requirements
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Massachusetts General Laws 105 CMR 220.600 requires all full-time students (12 credits
or more) under the age of 30, all full- and part-time students in Nursing and Allied
Health programs (regardless of year of birth), and all international students, are
required to present evidence of immunization (see Immunization forms).
CastleBranch
Visit CastleBranch
Please access CastleBranch for instructions on setting up your account and the documentation process. All records
must be uploaded prior to the first day of classes. Questions? Email studentengagement@berkshirecc.edu.
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The general student population immunization forms should be uploaded to CastleBranch. Contact studentengagement@berkshirecc.edu with any questions. Nursing and Allied Health immunization forms should go to:
Colleen Hunkler
Phone: 413-236-4609
Fax: 800-724-9943
Email: medicalrecords@berkshirecc.edu.
General Student Population Information and Forms
Nursing and Allied Health Forms
Verification of Student Health History and Physical Exam Allied Health Forms
In regards to all Nursing and Allied Health students, immunization information (not
medical history) may be shared with the Dean of Nursing, Health and Social Sciences,
Department Chair and contracted agencies to allow for clinical experiences.
Health Records
To comply with State legislation (Chapter 76, Section 15C, General Laws of Massachusetts)
BCC has adopted the following procedures:
- All health records will be confidentially maintained in the Immunization and Medical
Records Office.
- Health records may include, but are not limited to, immunizations, physical exams,
physician correspondence.
- Any request by a student for his/her health record requires a signed authorization
from the student.
- Release of any medical records to a college or contractual agency is only with the
expressed approval of the student.
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Depending upon a student's status, there are certain immunizations that are required
in order to attend college in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These include proof
of immunization against:
- T-dap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertusiss)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Meningococcal vaccine required for students under 21 years of age. This vaccine may
be waived after reading the Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form provided by
BCC
A student who obtains immunizations or antibody laboratory blood tests (titers) must
include a laboratory report proof of immunity. The student is responsible for submitting
documentation of his/her immunization record to the Immunization Records Office within
30 days of starting classes.
Students who are not in compliance with these mandated immunizations will be unable
to pre-register for classes.
Note: All Nursing and Allied Health students must complete all medical requirements
and a Verification of Student Health History and Physical Exam prior to beginning classes or clinical rotations.
International Students
All international students (regardless of credit-load) are required to have a negative
tuberculosis test result within the past one year or a negative chest x-ray within
the last five years (Medical forms from doctors' offices should include vaccinations in English.)
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Hepatitis B
A series of 3 injections of vaccine given over a 6 month period
- If there is an interruption in the schedule, the series should not be started again.
Continue with the series until all three doses have been administered. If there is
a question of immunity, have a titer blood test drawn one month after the final vaccine
has been administered.
- Nursing and Allied Health students must begin the Hepatitis B series before the start
of clinical rotations since these programs are under obligation of a contracted agency
to provide proof of the student inoculation.
T-dap (Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis)
- For tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) the vaccine must be administered within the
last 10 years.
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- 2 doses of vaccine given at least 1 month apart, at/after 12 months of age.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Annual test for all Nursing and Allied Health program students as well as for any
incoming foreign-born student.
- TB tests require a reading done 48 to 72 hours after the test has been administered.
If the test is not read 72 hours later, the student must redo the test.
- If an MMR inoculation has been administered within the last 6 weeks, a student must
wait to have TB testing done as the test could result in a false positive. A TB test
can be performed first without a waiting period.
If a tuberculosis test result is positive, a negative chest x-ray is required. Negative
chest x-rays are acceptable within the last 5 year period. If the chest x-ray is positive,
a treatment schedule must accompany the result.
Varicella (chicken pox)
- 2 doses of vaccine OR medical proof of disease or a positive laboratory blood test
(titer)
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BCC is required to maintain student immunization records for a period of 5 years.
In addition to Tdap, MMR , hepatitis B, Varicella and Tuberculosis test results, Meningococcal
and current flu vaccines are also recorded.These vaccines may only be declined for
medical or religious reasons. In the event a student declines due to religious reasons,
the student must complete and file the necessary forms, which may be obtained at the
Immunization and Medical Records Office. If a student is unable to receive an immunization
due to medical reasons, documentation from the student's physician must be filed in
the Immunization and Medical Records Office. It is also highly recommended that these
students have blood testing done to show possible immunity.If an outbreak of measles,
mumps or rubella occurs, students who are not immunized will be notified by the Immunization
and Medical Records Office via telephone and/or certified mail. It is then the responsibility
of the student to determine whether or not to attend classes. It is advised that students
update telephone numbers and addresses to assure proper notification.
