Health Services
Immunization Policy
Student Vaccine Requirement
Haverford College takes the health and wellbeing of all students, faculty and staff very seriously. Because of our past high vaccination rates; we have had minimal disturbance with students or staff becoming seriously ill or missing a great deal of class time. The incoming class of 2028 and transfer students will be required to demonstrate proof of vaccination with the most updated FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine, among the various vaccinations Haverford students must receive as a condition of enrollment. Religious and medical exemptions will continue to be provided with appropriate documentation.
The Health Services Staff
Decision Not to Vaccinate
Haverford College follows the American College Health Association (ACHA), the Pennsylvania State Mandatory Vaccination Code, the Advisory College of Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the CDC’s recommendations for immunization compliance guidelines. For the safety of all students, faculty and staff, immunizations are mandatory.1 Students may be exempted from the immunization requirements if there is a medical contraindication or if the student’s religious belief prohibits immunizations.
Per Pennsylvania State law for schools:
§ 23.84. Exemption from immunization.
- Medical exemption. Children need not be immunized if a physician or the physician’s designee provides a written statement that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child. When the physician determines that immunization is no longer detrimental to the health of the child, the child shall be immunized according to this subchapter.
- Religious exemption. Children need not be immunized if the parent, guardian or emancipated child objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.
Source
The provisions of this § 23.84 amended through September 17, 1982, effective August 1, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 3288; amended August 22, 1997, effective August 23, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 4317. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (164332) to (164333) and (129145).
Cross References
This section cited in 22 Pa. Code § 51.13 (relating to immunization); 22 Pa. Code § 405.49 (relating to immunizations); 28 Pa. code § 23.83 (relating to immunization requirements); 28 Pa. Code § 23.85 (relating to responsibilities of schools and school administrators); and 28 Pa. Code § 27.77 (relating to immunization requirements for children in child care group settings).