Medical Compliance Requirements

Immunization Policy

Pursuant to Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.001(9), prior to registration, each student accepted for admission at the University of North Florida must submit a signed UNF Immunization Form. University of North Florida requires documented proof of immunizations to measles and rubella. In addition, pursuant to Florida Board of Governors Regulations 6.007, effective July 1, 2008, all new matriculating students must also provide documentation of vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B or provide a signed waiver for each declined vaccination.

Acceptable documentation is as follows:

Measles (Rubeola)

Students can be considered compliant for measles only if they have documentation of one of the following:

1. Official documentation of immunization with TWO (2) doses of live measles virus vaccine on or after the first birthday and at least 28 days apart. Persons vaccinated with killed or unknown vaccine prior to 1968 must be revaccinated.
2. Laboratory (serologic) evidence of measles immunity titer.
3. A written, dated statement, signed by a physician on his or her stationery, that specifies the date seen, and stating that the person has had an illness characterized by a generalized rash lasting three or more days, a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, a cough and conjunctivitis, and in the physician's opinion, is diagnosed to have the 10-day measles (Rubeola).

Measles is a highly contagious acute viral infection characterized by a rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation and fever. It is extremely communicable and is spread by droplets from the nose and mouth of an infected person to susceptible individuals. Measles can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or even death. In recent years in the U.S., outbreaks have occurred most commonly in adolescents and young adults, including college students. Receiving two doses of the live measles vaccine can provide long-lasting immunity.

Rubella (German Measles)

Students can be considered compliant for Rubella only if they have documentation of at least one of the following:

1. Documentation of immunization with live Rubella virus vaccine on or after the first birthday.
2. Laboratory (serologic) evidence of Rubella immunity titer.

Rubella is a contagious viral infection that causes a rash, mild fever and stiff joints in adults. A woman who gets rubella while pregnant could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects. Its incidence is low in the U.S. due to the increased number of childhood vaccinations against the disease; however, outbreaks continue to occur in susceptible populations, including college students. The vaccination for rubella produces antibodies in more than 95 percent of recipients.

Mumps

Mumps is an acute viral infection characterized by muscle ache, tiredness, loss of appetite, headache and fever, followed by swelling of salivary glands. The parotid salivary glands (which are located within your cheek, near your jaw line, below your ears) are most frequently affected. Transmission of mumps virus occurs by direct contact with respiratory droplets, saliva or contact with contaminated fomites. Complications of mumps infection can include deafness, inflammation of the testicles, ovaries, or breasts and spontaneous abortion. In recent years in the U.S., the majority of cases reported occurred among adolescents and young adults, including college students.

Exemptions

1. Students seeking an exemption due to medical conditions must submit documentation from the attending physician.
2. Students seeking an exemption for religious reasons may submit any of the proper religious documentation:
   1. County Health Department exemption document
   2. A letter from a church or religious organization
   3. Legal Exemption Document from a Law Office
3. In the event of a measles/Rubella emergency, exempted students will be excluded from all campus activities until such time as is specified by the County Health Unit.

Please contact the UNF Office of Medical Compliance for additional information.

Meningococcal meningitis is an infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and brain, caused by bacteria and usually spread through exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e. coughing, kissing). Bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability or even death. A vaccine is currently available for one of the most severe forms of bacterial meningitis, meningococcus. This vaccine effectively provides immunity for most forms of meningococcus; there is no vaccine for the less severe viral type of meningitis.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver caused primarily by contact with blood and other body fluids from infected persons. Hepatitis B vaccine can provide immunity against Hepatitis B infection for persons at significant risk, including people who have received blood products containing the virus through transfusions, drug use, tattoos or body piercing; people who have sex with multiple partners or with someone who is infected with the virus; and health care workers and people exposed to biomedical waste.

Certification of Health Insurance

To comply with the Florida State Board of Governors Regulation BOG 6.009, F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 visa status students must have a health insurance policy that meets certain criteria. The University of North Florida (UNF) has a policy available that includes benefits that meet the Florida State Board of Governors Regulation. International students also have the option to purchase an alternate policy, as long as the policy meets the Florida State Board of Governors Regulation BOG 6.009 guidelines.

UNF Health Insurance Plan

Information on this plan can be found on the Student Health Services website.

The fee for this plan is automatically assessed on every F/J visa status student's account when tuition fees are assessed and when students select Option 1 on the UNF International Insurance Agreement Form. This form must be completed and submitted prior to registration. Payment deadline is the same as the tuition and fee deadline. This form can be found in the student's myWings account and on the Medical Compliance website.

Alternate Insurance Waiver Plan

In order to apply for alternate insurance (Option 2), students must submit an International Student Health Insurance Compliance Form. This form must be completed by both the student and their insurance company. This form can be obtained online at the Student Health Services website, as well as in the student's myWings account.

This form may be submitted as early as you wish. However, all alternate insurance coverage must be for the entire semester (or beyond). This form must be submitted and approved prior to registration for the upcoming semester.