International Students

Health Requirements

Incoming international students have an automatic Health Hold placed on their account upon admission to Oregon Tech. In order for this hold to be removed so that you can register for classes, all international students must meet the following two requirements by providing documentation to the Integrated Student Health Center (ISHC) by either e-mail (health@oit.edu) or FAX (541-885-1866).

Requirement 1: Health History & Tuberculosis Risk Screening

Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that primarily affects your lungs. TB is spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air, and is highly contagious.

Prior to attending class, Oregon Tech is required by law* to assure that all international students are not at risk for having TB. International students need to complete and submit the “International Student Health History and TB Risk Screening Form” which can be downloaded on this page. 

If you answered YES to any of the questions on this Tuberculosis Risk Screening, you must be tested for TB (through either a skin test, blood-work, or chest x-ray). Contact ISHC at 541-885-1800 if this applies to you to determine which test you will need to have completed.

Requirement 2: Measles Vaccine Documentation

Every international student must show documented proof of immunity to Measles (or Measles-Mumps-Rubella, MMR). To satisfy this requirement, you must have:

• Two documented doses of Measles (or Measles-Mumps-Rubella, MMR) vaccine on or after your first birthday and at least one month apart OR
• Physician documentation of vaccinations OR
• Lab test documenting immunity to Measles-Mumps-Rubella

How to locate immunization records

"Documentation" means you will need to provide a photocopy of the immunizations you have received. Your photocopied records should include your name, date of birth, the date the vaccine was given, and the clinic stamp or initials of the person who administered the immunization.

Do not send original immunization records! You may be able to get these records from:

• Your doctor's office or medical clinic
• Your Public Health Department
• Your personal immunization card (signed by clinic staff)
• Your high school or previous college immunization records
• Your high school transcript

If you are unable to locate this information, ISHC does offer MMR vaccinations for a fee. It will not harm you to have additional immunizations if you have had them before, but they do have to be administered one month apart. Call 541-885-1800 if you need to schedule an immunization, but remember that the Health Hold will remain in place until you have at least one MMR.

Exemptions

Students may be exempted from the immunization requirements only if: 1) there is a documented medical condition preventing the immunization, or 2) the student has filed a Nonmedical Vaccine Exemption with ISHC. For medical exemptions, a signed statement from your health care provider is required; for your convenience, we have a form that your provider can complete on our Forms page (here). To file a Nonmedical Vaccine Exemption, the student must view the required Oregon Department of Public Health video (found here) and provided a signed Certificate of Completion to ISHC.

Please be aware that students who are granted an exemption are likely to be prohibited from campus by the Department of Public Health in the event of an outbreak and may not receive a financial refund or additional time to make up any missed coursework. For more information, please call 541.885.1800.

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Recommended Vaccines
 

Tetanus

Td is a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine given to adolescents and adults as a booster shot every 10 years, or after an exposure to tetanus under some circumstances. Tdap is similar to Td but also containing protection against pertussis. A single dose of Tdap is recommended for adolescents 11 or 12 years of age, or in place of one Td booster in older adolescents and adults age 19 through 64.

Meningitis

Consistent with the American College Health Association (ACHA) recommendations, the ISHC recommends that in-coming students discuss vaccination for meningitis with their medical provider, contact their local public health agency, or inquire at the ISHC. For more information on ACHA recommendation and general meningitis information: http://www.acha.org/ACHA/Resources/Topics/Meningitis.aspx

Hepatitis A

A serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis a virus (HAV). HAV is usually spread by close personal contact. It can also be spread by eating food or drinking water containing HAV.

• Two doses of the vaccine are needed for lasting protection. These doses should be given at least 6 months apart.

Hepatitis B

A serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, leading to liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis-a condition that causes permanent scarring of the liver.

• Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as a series of 3 or 4 shots. These doses gives long-term protection from HBV infection, possibly lifelong.

Hepatitis A/B

A combined vaccination usually given as a series of 3 or 4 shots.

Health Insurance Requirements

All international students and their accompanying dependents are required to have health insurance while enrolled at a public Oregon institution. As part of your immigration status as a J-1 Exchange visitor or a F-1 Student, the U.S. government has set minimum requirements for health insurance coverage.

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) offered through Oregon Tech is specifically designed to meet the needs of international students including visa requirements. You will see the insurance charge along with the Student Health fee (which is a separate fee paid by all students who are registered for 6 or more on-campus credits) on your bill each term. If you have questions about the student health insurance, contact the Business Affairs Office at 541-885-1200. ISHC is not involved with the student health insurance in any way.

Enrolled Students: Read more here.