How to vaccine-prep your kids for college

You’ve helped them choose their electives, paid their first semester’s tuition, and even made sure they packed one of those handy little shower caddies: Your kids couldn’t be more prepared for the first day of college—or could they? When was the last time you checked their immunization records? 

As it turns out, their first year is a critical time to ensure your kids are current on all their vaccines, says Kristen Feemster, MD, research director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and medical director of the Immunization Program and Acute Communicable Diseases at the Philadelphia Department of Health. In fact, most institutions of higher education in the United States require proof of vaccination from incoming students in a written statement from a medical provider before the academic year begins.

Why should college students get vaccinated?

“There are many important features of entering college that make being up to date on immunizations especially important,” she says. “For many students, they’re going to be living in a congregate setting—they may be living in a dormitory or sharing an apartment. There may be students who are planning to spend some time abroad as a part of their program or might be engaging in other work activities, like health sciences, that might increase their potential exposure.” 

Schools can legally require proof of full vaccination for specific diseases for all enrolling students. Doing this helps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among university students who are living in close proximity in campus residence halls. Higher education institution vaccination mandates are determined by state laws, and vary by state. Most states have left it up to individual universities to decide whether to implement vaccine mandates. 

For example, hepatitis B or meningococcal vaccines are currently mandated by 34 states and the District of Columbia for college attendees. Depending on state law, exemptions may be provided for medical and religious reasons or personal beliefs. Whether or not educational institutions can legally penalize a student for not adhering to vaccination requirements is murky, as there is no federal guidance on the matter. For information on current state vaccine requirements for college campuses and what is considered an approved exemption, check here. 

College vaccination requirements

You can request a copy of your student’s immunization record from their primary healthcare provider’s office. A photocopy is usually due to the university’s registrar’s office. Typically, the following vaccinations are recommended for college:

1. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
2. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
3. Meningococcal
4. Influenza
5. COVID-19

And while many community colleges and universities have their own set of college immunization requirements (i.e., one to two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and one to two doses of meningococcal are the most common, according to Dr. Feemster), you shouldn’t rely on the school’s shortlist to ensure your students are fully protected. Here are five important college vaccines your children should have before heading off to campus for the fall semester:

1. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

Most people born after 1957 in the U.S. are immunized against measles, but sometimes they missed a dose in childhood. Without both required shots, your college student may not have full immunity. Certain special situations may require that you check your child’s immunity by getting bloodwork done. Check your child’s immunization records, and schedule a booster if necessary.

RELATED: Do you need a measles booster?

2. Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some 79 million Americans (mostly in their late teens and 20s) have the disease. And while HPV often clears up on its own, it can also cause some serious health issues. “The reason why we worry about HPV,” says Dr. Feemster, “is because it can lead to cancer—it’s known to cause cervical cancer and a few other anal or genital cancers.” The HPV vaccine is, therefore, one of the only vaccines to actually prevent cancer. (Though it does not protect against all strains of HPV.) 

The schedule: The HPV vaccine (one of the most commonly known by the brand name Gardasil 9) is multi-dose. Healthcare professionals typically recommend administering the first dose at the age of 11 or 12 (before kids become sexually active), followed by a second dose at least six months later. If your child is 15 years of age or older when they receive their first dose, they’ll need three doses of the vaccine before starting college, on a schedule of zero, two, and six months, according to Dr. Feemster.  

RELATED: Get Gardasil 9 coupons

3. Meningococcal (meningitis)

Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterium that can cause meningitis (swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis. Both can be life-threatening. “This is an infection that’s not very common compared to some other things like influenza, but when it does happen, it can take hold very quickly and make you very sick,” says Dr. Feemster. Meningitis can be spread through phlegm and saliva, and according to the CDC, college students are at a slightly elevated risk of contracting the disease, compared to their peers who are not attending college. 

According to the CDC, there are two types of meningococcal vaccines:

1. Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccination: This multi-dose vaccine protects against meningococcal serogroups: A, C, W, and Y. The first meningitis vaccine is usually administered around the age of 11 or 12, with a second dose at the age of 16. However, if your student is 16 or older when they get their first shot, they only need the one, according to Dr. Feemster.
2. Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccination: This 2- or 3-dose series protects against the meningococcal serogroup B. Although Meningitis B infection is rare, the vaccine can be given to anyone over the age of 10, ideally teens between the ages of 16-18 years old. It can be given alone or in conjunction with the meningococcal conjugate booster.

There is no shot available that protects against all 5 serogroups.

RELATED: Everything you need to know about the Bexsero vaccine 

4. Influenza

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccine, and, says Dr. Feemster, campus students should be particularly mindful about rolling up their sleeves and getting the shot. “Especially on a college campus, where you are very close to your fellow students and friends, you may have even more opportunity for exposure,” she explains. “Getting a flu shot every year is an important part of general prevention activities.” According to research, however, only about 46% of college students get the vaccine. (That’s an F grade for Flu Shots 101!) 

The schedule: The influenza vaccine—which typically protects against the three-to-four most common types of the virus during a given season—should be given annually. Flublok and Afluria are some popular brand-name flu vaccines. The CDC recommends getting the flu shot by late October before the height of flu season. (It takes about two weeks for the antibodies to build up and protect against influenza.) If your student is heading off to college before the shot has been made available (usually sometime in August), they can get it on campus at student health services.

RELATED: How to get a free flu shot

5. COVID-19

While college immunization requirements were updated to include the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, many no longer require it. However, many still do. At institutions requiring it, students, faculty, and staff who come to campus may be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, the CDC recommends the following vaccinations:

• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent
• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent
• Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted

College vaccine recommendations

While the HPV, meningitis, and flu shots are imperative, Dr. Feemster recommends checking that your college-bound kids are current on all routinely recommended immunizations, especially MMR and varicella (chickenpox).  

Be sure to check out the CDC’s full list of recommended immunizations for adults 19 years and older:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV): 2-3 doses based on age at initial vaccination
• Meningococcal (MenACWY and MenB): 1-3 doses if at risk
• Influenza (IIV, RIV, or LAIV): 1 dose per year
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap or Td): 1 dose of Tdap, then 1 dose of Td booster every 10 years
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): 1-2 doses if at risk
• Varicella (VAR): 2 doses if born in or after 1980
• Pneumococcal (PCV13 and PPSV23): 1-2 doses if at risk
• Hepatitis (HepA and HepB): 2-3 doses based on vaccine
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): 1-3 doses if at risk
• Polio (IPV): Individuals who have not received the vaccine as a child should receive 3 doses.

Your student’s institution or program of study may have specific requirements, and you will want to make sure you are familiar with them in advance. Once you are aware of all of the requirements, work with your healthcare provider to make a plan to get the college vaccines your teen needs.