Model Vaccine Policy for Colleges and Universities

Abstract

College campuses, due to group living and close contact through classes, athletics and social settings, are at risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Due to costly outbreaks that spread beyond campus borders, there is a public interest in colleges adopting comprehensive vaccine policies. Under Kansas law each state university is required to have in place policies and procedures requiring incoming students residing in student housing to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. This requirement applies only to meningococcal disease and only to the six state universities in Kansas; it does not apply to private colleges, private universities or community colleges. The Immunize Kansas Coalition, a group of researchers, health department officials, educators and providers working together with the Kansas Health Institute, sought to create a comprehensive model vaccination policy to share and promote among colleges and universities in Kansas. This project includes a survey of current vaccination policies at 55 universities and colleges within the state of Kansas and key informant interviews with stakeholders in health departments, universities, community colleges and private colleges to inform this model vaccine policy.