Immunization Requirements for FSNH Students

Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program graduate students must comply with immunization and TB screening requirements in accordance with the University of Washington’s Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP). As HSIP follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Guidelines for Healthcare Workers, parameters may change during a student’s enrollment; all FSNH graduate students are required to comply with updated CDC and HSIP requirements upon enrollment and until completion of their degree program, even if those stipulations change. It is each student’s responsibility to meet any requirements of a training site that may differ from those requested by HSIP while enrolled.

All students must create accounts in CastleBranch, a web-based system for the collection and management of immunization, antibody titer, and TB screening records.

HSIP Immunization, Titer, and TB Screening Requirements

A full description of the immunization and TB screening requirements and their acceptable documentation can be found in each student’s CastleBranch To-Do List. An abbreviated HSIP Requirements Checklist is available for reference. HSIP recommends students print a copy of the checklist to take to their healthcare provider.

In summary, each student must show proof of:

• CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS: Attestation of a primary childhood tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (DTaP/DTP/DT/Td) series, as well as a childhood polio series (see instructions in CastleBranch if you have not received these vaccines).
• TETANUS-DIPHTHERIA-PERTUSSIS (Tdap): A Tdap vaccine administered in the last 10 years OR documentation of a a Td-containing vaccine within the past 10 years and a Tdap vaccine administered after June 2005.
• MEASLES (RUBEOLA), MUMPS, AND RUBELLA (MMR): A completed MMR 2-dose vaccine series OR positive IgG titers for each as proof of immunity.
• VARICELLA: A completed varicella 2-dose vaccine series OR a positive varicella IgG titer as proof of immunity (a history of chickenpox is not acceptable).
• HEPATITIS B: BOTH a completed Hepatitis B vaccine series (see CastleBranch instructions for acceptable vaccine series and number of doses required) AND a positive Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer (titer to be submitted after completion of the vaccine series).
• TUBERCULOSIS (TB): TB screening (not a vaccine) either by interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test (recommended especially for students with a history of BCG vaccine) OR TWO separate PPD skin tests (the second must be administered between 1-3 weeks after the first is read) OR, for students with a previous positive TB screening test, refer to CastleBranch instructions for what documents to submit.
• COVID-19 VACCINE: An annual fall seasonal COVID-19 vaccine (see CastleBranch updated requirements).
• An annual influenza vaccine administered after August of the current flu season.

Students must complete all HSIP requirements by the due dates listed in their CastleBranch account. For any vaccine series currently in process, documentation should be submitted for the vaccines already received; a new action and due date will be created for the next vaccine or titer required. HSIP will place registration holds on students with overdue requirements, regardless of whether they will be in a practicum that quarter. Students will not be allowed at practice sites unless they are up to date with immunization requirements and/or within a series-in-process and have completed their TB screening.

Please visit the HSIP Website for FAQs and links to the HSIP Requirements Checklist, HSIP Healthcare Resources, HSIP Policy, and an explanation of HSIP Fees. Please contact myshots@uw.edu with any questions.