Overview of Health Requirements (for Incoming and Returning Students)
Incoming students must meet certain Health Requirements before joining the Stanford community. Requirements vary depending on the type of student (non-medical versus medical/physician assistant) and are spelled out in detail in these pages. Deadlines apply. Note: if you are a returning student who bypassed Health Requirements in the past, you must comply with them now.
Deadlines to Complete Health Requirements Based on Quarter of Entry (or Return)
Students entering Stanford University for the first time must complete Entrance Health Requirements, including required immunizations, screening, and in some cases testing, and submission of all required forms by the following deadlines:
Students returning to Stanford should review the latest health requirements to ensure compliance.
| For… | Quarter entering Stanford | Deadline for Completion of Entrance Health Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming frosh | Autumn Quarter | Aug. 15, 2025 |
| Undergraduate transfers | Autumn Quarter | Aug. 15, 2025 |
| Incoming graduate and professional students | Autumn Quarter | Aug. 15, 2025 |
| Students (any type) entering in a quarter other than Autumn | Winter Quarter | Nov. 27, 2025 |
| Spring Quarter | Mar. 1, 2026 | |
| Summer Quarter | Jun. 1, 2026 |
Getting Started (If You Are New to Stanford)
If you are new to Stanford, before you tackle the Health Requirements from the checklist below, take a moment to gather your health information, both historical and current, including names and dosages of any medications you take, immunization records, allergies or other conditions you may have or have had, surgeries you’ve undergone, and other relevant data. Review the health history of your family members, as well. Once you’ve done this, you are ready to begin.
If you cannot locate your immunization records, you have two options:
- Be re-vaccinated, or
- In some instances, a blood test (titer) can be used to determine the presence of antibodies. (If your blood test indicates an inadequate concentration of antibody, you will need to be re-vaccinated.)
Health Requirements Checklist
If you are a new student, you are required to complete the following tasks before attending Stanford University. (If you are a returning student, now is the time to check to make sure you have complied with all previous requirements.)
| 1. Submit the following four forms: |
|---|
Go to vadenpatient.stanford.edu and click on the ‘Medical Clearances’ section on the left-hand side of the page. Read/acknowledge, complete, and submit the following four forms online: Consent for Treatment – The completed Consent for Treatment document gives Vaden Health Center permission to treat you, should you need care during your academic career. |
| 2. Enter immunization types and dates and submit proof of vaccinations (or titers): |
|---|
Once you have collected your records, go to vadenpatient.stanford.edu and click on ‘Medical Clearances’ on the left-hand side of the page. Select the immunization you wish to submit from the displayed list and enter the date the immunization was given. Do this for each immunization you are submitting. Once you are finished, you will need to upload proof of the information you have entered. To upload proof of vaccination(s) and/or titers, go to vadenpatient.stanford.edu and click on ‘Medical Clearances’ on the left-hand side of the page. As proof of vaccination, you may submit a copy of your immunizations from your current health record or you may use the form we provide for you, which requires signature by your health care provider. Please note that there are different vaccination requirements (and forms) for non-medical students versus medical/physician assistant students. If you choose to use the form we provide, it can be found on the Vaden Health Center website at vaden.stanford.edu. Be sure to use the correct form:
Please also note that Vaden Health Center participates in the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) system and if you had your vaccinations in California as a California resident, chances are good they may populate your Vaden health record automatically. Be sure to visit the portal to confirm, however! |
| 3. Be tested for Tuberculosis (TB) **only if your screening indicated you need to be tested** |
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Immunization Information for All Entering Students
The following grid shows a summary of the immunizations that are required before you arrive at Stanford, based on the type of student you are: non-medical vs. medical/physician assistant. It also lists other immunizations that are recommended for your well-being on campus. Additional information about each of the vaccines follows. These requirements and recommendations are subject to change. Check the Vaden Health Center website at vaden.stanford.edu for the most up-to-date information.
| Immunization for | Type of Student | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Medical (Most Students) | Medical/ Physician Assistant | |
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) | Required | Required |
| Hepatitis B | Highly Recommended
| |
| Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) | ||
| Varicella | ||
| SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19)* | Highly Recommended | |
| Meningococcal ACWY** | ||
| Meningococcal B** | ||
| Human Papillomavirus (HPV) | ||
| Hepatitis A | ||
| Pneumococcal** | ||
| Polio | ||
*Medical and Physician Assistant students must meet the current requirements for Stanford Health Care workers. Check with your program for the most up-to-date information.
** These vaccines are highly recommended for specific and/or higher risk populations only.
More Information about the Listed Vaccines
Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine (MMR)
If you were born after 1956, Stanford requires written documentation of one of the following:
- Proof of TWO doses of MMR at least 28 days apart after 12 months of age, or
- Laboratory evidence of antibodies (requires a separate blood titer for each)*
Hepatitis B Vaccine
If you are a medical or physician assistant student, Stanford requires written documentation of BOTH of the following:
- A completed series of Hepatitis B vaccine (x2 doses if Heplisav, x3 doses if other)
- A positive (> 10 mIU/mL) quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody test*
If you have a history of Hepatitis B disease or a negative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody test, see below for additional guidance.
Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap)
If you are a medical or physician assistant student, you must have had Tdap within the past 10 years.
Varicella (more commonly known as chicken pox) Vaccine
If you are a medical or physician assistant student, Stanford requires written documentation of ONE of the following:
- Proof of TWO doses of Varicella vaccine, or
- Laboratory evidence of antibodies*
Sars-CoV-2 (Covid-19) Vaccine
If you are a medical or physician assistant student, you must meet the current Covid requirement for Stanford Health Care workers.
Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine
This vaccine is recommended for undergraduate dormitory residents, especially frosh or others who may live in close quarters.
Meningococcal B Vaccine
This vaccine is recommended for certain high-risk individuals and young adults ages 16 – 23.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV)
TWO or THREE doses are needed depending on type of vaccine and based on age and risk.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
This vaccine is highly recommended, especially for students who will be travelling. TWO doses are needed.
Pneumococcal Vaccine(s)
These vaccines are recommended for certain high-risk individuals such as those with asthma and/or smokers.
Polio Vaccine
An initial series of this vaccine is highly recommended.
*An antibody Titer is a blood test that provides a surrogate indication of your protection against the particular infection. If you choose to submit antibody titers, the results must be positive to meet our requirements.
Fees
Students are responsible for the cost of the required (and recommended) vaccines listed here (ideally they will have occurred prior to arrival on campus). Those vaccines that are considered preventive are typically covered by health insurance.
Exemption from Vaccination
Frosh and undergraduate transfers who wish to request a medical or religious exemption from the immunization requirement(s) must do so prior to Jul. 24th. Graduate students must do so prior to Jul. 31.
- If you wish to request a medical exemption, please submit the Application for Medical Exemption from Vaccination.
- If you wish to request a religious exemption, please submit the Request for Religious Exemption from Required Immunizations.
Review of such requests can take up to four weeks, so please don’t delay if you plan to request an exemption.
