Immunizations

Mandatory Requirements for Immunizations

MMR - All students enrolled in six (6) credit hours or more, with at least one class on campus, whose birth date is on or after January 1, 1957, MUST comply with immunization requirements.

COVID-19 - No longer required. Please see below for more information.

Form must be submitted PRIOR to the first day of class of the first semester of attendance to: Student Affairs Office, Elston Hall, Room 222, Fax number: 518-381-1456, or sent via email to immunizations@sunysccc.edu. Please call 518-381-1344 with questions.

Immunity Against Measles, Mumps and Rubella

New York State Public Health Law (PHL-2165) requires students to provide proof of immunity against Measles, Mumps and Rubella prior to the first day of classes. This law applies only to students born on or after January 1, 1957 who are enrolled for classes on campus; and are registered for 6 or more credit hours/semester. Students who do not need to meet the immunization requirement include: online learning students who never attend class at the college; those located at a site off-campus; individuals auditing classes; and high school students taking college courses not on campus.

Please print the Fact Sheet below, and the MMR Religious Exemption Form if needed:

The MMR Immunization Certificate and/or Religious Exemption Form must be submitted PRIOR to the first day of class of the first semester of attendance to: Student Affairs Office, Room 222 Elston Hall, Fax number: 518-381-1456

Students can obtain their health information from their family physician and/or their high school health office.

The College utilizes these procedures to meet the requirements of the NYS Public Health Law:

The College makes several personal contacts with students through Admissions, several mailings, orientation, and phone calls. Students need only to submit their immunization information once at the start of their enrollment to the College. Students who have not submitted the required proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella will have more contacts made as a reminder about their obligation and the New York State Health Law. Prior to officially withdrawing all non-compliant students from classes the Student Services Office will work with the teaching faculty to issue the final notification to the student.
Students who have not submitted any proof of immunity against Measles, Mumps or Rubella are considered non-compliant and will not be allowed to attend classes after 30 days (for residents of the State of New York) or after 45 days (for out-of-state-residents). The College is obligated to exclude non-compliant students and will administratively withdraw these students from classes on the 30th day (for NY residents) and 45th day (for out-of-state-residents) from the first day of classes.
Students withdrawn from classes are put on the College's Obligation List and are not permitted to register for future classes access their grades or financial aid until such time the required documentation is properly submitted. Students may be reinstated, during a two week period after the administrative withdrawal only, by submitting the appropriate documents.
Students who have submitted some documentation, but still require further proof of immunity, must show proof that they have a scheduled appointment for the required vaccine. These students are placed on a temporary hold list until the appropriate documents are submitted. Should the student fail to submit the required documentation, they will be withdrawn from their classes within 48 hours from the scheduled appointment date.
Students who have received their first MMR after the start of classes, are required to receive a second MMR, or show proof of immunity by a blood titer. These students will also be put on a temporary hold list, and must wait at least 30 days before receiving their second MMR or blood titer. All students who are on the temporary hold list will not be allowed to attend classes more than 90 days after the start of classes.
Armed Service Waivers: Students who show proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within ten years from the date of application to the College may attend while awaiting receipt of military immunization records and are provided a military waiver. Student must submit to the College a copy of the request they sent for their military immunization records and will repeat the request for records in writing with a copy to the College every six months until they are received. The College will maintain a copy of the request for military immunization records and the student will be placed on a military waiver@ list until the necessary information is received (as per the 1998 New York State Public Health Law 2165 amendment).
Medical Waivers: Students requesting medical exemptions must submit documentation written by a physician, nurse practitioner, midwife caring for a pregnant woman, or physician assistants clearly stating which vaccine or vaccines may be detrimental to the student's health or medically contraindicated AND must state the duration of the exemption (lifelong or temporary). The College will review medical exemptions every semester. Students on temporary medical waivers will need to submit the required documentation within one week from the expiration of the waiver.
Religious Waivers: Students requesting religious exemptions must submit a Request for Religious Exemption for MMR Immunization Form to the Associate Dean for Student Services. This request is written documentation from the student (or parent, if the student is under the age of 18 years) must clearly state that the student holds a sincere and genuine religious belief that prohibits immunization AND must be notarized by a notary public prior to be submitted to the Student Services Office, 222 Elston Hall, for review and consideration. Additional supporting documentation may be required. Student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the request. Should the request for an exemption be denied, you may appeal the denial to the College President within thirty (30) days of the decision, pursuant to Education Law, Section 310. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to immunization do not justify an exemption under Department of Health Regulation 10 NYCRR, Section 66-1.3(d).
Exemption list: A list of susceptible students (to include temporary waivers, medical and religious exempted students) will be maintained in the event of an outbreak. Should an outbreak occur and/or a health risk shall arise at the College, these susceptible students shall be contacted immediately and removed for health safety reasons from the institution (unless proper immunization can be provided) until the outbreak is over.
Annual Report: The College will complete the Annual Immunization Survey mandated by PHL 2165 (R&R part 66-2.7) and submit it each December to the NYS Department of Health. This annual report will be shared with the College President and the College's Board of Trustees. A copy of the survey will be kept on file for a minimum of one year.
Record Retention: Students need only to provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella once. The College will retain the record for six years, or three years after the individual attains age 18, whichever is longer. Records will be kept electronically and measures will be taken to ensure data quality. When and where signatures are required, printed names will not constitute a signature. In compliance with HIPAA the student or parents of the student are ultimately responsible for furnishing the College with their immunization record.

Meningococcal Meningitis Information and Immunization

New York State Public Health Law (PHL-2167) requires students who are registered to attend or who attends classes at an institution, who is enrolled for at least six credit hours will be provided written information about meningococcal meningitis disease and immunization. Information provided to the student will include: a description of the disease and its means of transmission; benefits, risks and effectiveness of immunizations; and availability and cost of vaccine. This information will be provided along with a response form to be completed by the student (or parent if the student is less than 18 years of age) which certifies the student (PHL 2167.3) received the vaccine within the last ten years preceding the date on the form; OR received the information and understands the risks of the disease and benefits of immunization and declines the vaccine.

For more information visit the following sites:

Immunity Against COVID-19

Are COVID-19 vaccines required for students?

No. SUNY Schenectady, in alignment with the State University of New York and Chancellor John B. King, announced the end of the emergency COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 semesters. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to remain up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters in a manner consistent with other viruses such as influenza. Masking will remain voluntary and rapid home tests and masks will continue to be available on campus. The College reserves the right to adjust and implement more restrictive COVID-19 health protocols in the event of an outbreak. Thank you for your patience and support.