USA University Vaccination Requirements and Blood Tests for Indian Students
Universities in the United States of America have strict immunization and vaccination requirements for foreign students. Indian Students often do not have the required vaccination certificates or proof of immunization that is required. We outline which blood tests you need, to prove that you have immunity to these common infections.
What is immunization and why is required before admission into US universities?
Immunization is a process by which you are vaccinated against infectious diseases. This ensures that you do not carry the disease when you travel to the USA. It also protects you and your colleageus from getting infected from others. Universities are large groupings of students, which enable the rapid spread of communicable and infectious diseases. Immunization ensures that this does not happen.
List of diseases requiring vaccination or immunization proof in the United States
Each university has its own criteria for immunization. The criteria also vary based upon your age and the country from which you are immigrating. The following are the diseases most commonly mandated for an immunization certificate.
Measles Virus
The measles virus is a common cause of rapidly spreading communicable infection. The virus spreads through the air via droplets, and can quickly infect a large number of people (in the younger age group). In most developed countries, as well as in India, the MMR vaccine is administered to children, and it covers you against measles infection. US universities require proof of vaccination or immunization against measles.
Mumps Virus
The mumps virus is another common virus that can spread easily and rapidly. It can infect the salivary glands or testis in males. Most US Universities require proof of vaccination or immunization against mumps. Mumps is covered in the MMR vaccination.
Rubella Virus (German Measles)
The rubella virus can produce infection in the brain as well as in pregnant women and to their unborn fetuses. Most universities require proof of vaccination or immunization against Rubella. Rubella is also covered under the MMR vaccination.
Clostridium Tetanii - Tetanus
Tetanus is a bacterial infection that spreads through spores of the Clostridium Tetanii bacteria. Tetanus usually occurs through contaminated soil coming in contact with open wounds or cuts. Tetanus can be prevented by taking the Tetanus Vaccine, a part of the DPT or Diptheria Pertussis Tetanus Vaccine
Pertussis - Whooping Cough
A highly contagious infection caused by the Bordetella Pertussis bacterium, pertussis spreads fast and causes a whooping cough (notorious for its sound). Pertussis is preventable if adequately immunized with the DPT vaccine.
Diptheria - Corynebacterium Diptheriae
Diptheria is a potentially life threatening infection caused by C.Diptheriaea. It is spread through the air and is highly contagious. It can be prevented by taking the DPT vaccine.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that spreads through sexual contact and through the transfusion of contaminated blood. Several universities require that students are vaccinated for Hepatitis B.
Varicella Zoster - Chicken Pox
This is a virus that causes chickenpox in children and shingles in adults. The virus is spread by droplets and through close contact. This virus can be prevented by vaccination or through prior exposure. Some US universities require you to prove that you are adequately immunized against VZV.
Tuberculosis
Unversities in the US have very strict requirements regarding tuberculosis. Most universities require that you can prove that your tuberculosis reactivity is negative. This means that you need
a negative TB skin test or a negative IGRA test or both. This poses a
major problem for most Indian students as these tests are positive for many people in India, given that TB is virtually endemic in our country. Almost everyone in India has been infected by TB at some point in their lives. We discuss more about Tuberculosis testing for US university admission in subsequent sections.
Comprehensive Table of Vaccination Requirements for DIfferent US Universities
Here is a comprehensive (but incomplete) list of vaccination requirements, categorized by University. We recommend that you visit your University page for the latest requirements.
University of North Georgia - Vaccination Requirements for Indian/Pune Students
| Disease |
Requirement |
| MMR |
Required ! |
| DPT |
Required ! |
| Hepatitis B |
Required ! |
| Tuberculosis |
- |
| Covid-19 |
- |
| Varicella Zoster |
Required ! |
| HPV |
Recommended ✅︎ |
| Meningococcus |
Recommended ✅︎ |
| Hepatitis A |
Recommended ✅︎ |
| Influenza |
Recommended ✅︎ |
For a detailed list of requirements, check their form
here
University of Dallas Texas
The following are the required and recommended vaccines :
| Disease |
Requirement |
| MMR |
Recommended ✅︎ |
| DPT |
Recommended ✅︎ |
| Hepatitis B |
Recommended ✅︎ |
| Tuberculosis |
Required ! |
| Covid-19 |
- |
| Varicella Zoster |
Recommended ✅︎ |
| HPV |
Recommended ✅︎ |
| Meningococcus |
Required ! |
| Hepatitis A |
- |
| Influenza |
Recommended ✅︎ |
Visit their detailed page
here
What do the Tuberculosis testing requirements mean for Indian Students?
Most US universities require that you test negative for Tuberculosis. Here are the implications and meaning of different TB tests.
TB Spot Test / TB SKin Test / Mantoux Test
This test involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin(a standardized tubercle bacillus solution), under the skin of your arm, and checking to see if there is a reaction in the form of swelling or redness. The test is slightly painful, and you may feel feverish. The injection is administered in the lab, and your arm is checked after 2 days for any amount of swelling. A negative result is accepted by most US universities, to indicate that you do not have Tuberculosis. A negative result is one where your arm does not show any swelling or induration.
IGRA Test / TB Quantiferon Gold Test / Interferon Gamma Release Assay
This is a blood test which checks for signs that you may have been infected with TB in your life at some point. This test involves drawing a small sample of blood and testing it with a cocktail of reagents using the ELISA system. The results are reported as Positive/Negative or Indeterminate. A negative result will be sufficient for most universities. This is the best accepted test to prove that you do not have Tuberculosis. In some universities, they require that you get this test in a lab in the United States. (eg - Indiana State), in other universities, this is not mandatory, and you can get the test in your home country.
Chest X-Ray
Some univerisities require that you undergo an X-Ray of your chest to prove that you are not carrying Tuberculosis in your lungs. This is often only required if you have some symptoms suggestive of Tuberculosis or one of the blood tests is positive.
What test should I get?
You can start off with the IGRA test - since this is a simple blood test, there is no pain and it is objective. You need to check if your university will accept a TB test done outside the USA is accepted.(Indiana State does not allow lab reports done outside the USA). If your IGRA test is positive, you will need to consult your doctor and/or get a chest X-ray. If you don't want to go for the IGRA test you can do the Skin Test.
Will just a chest X-Ray be enough?
No, a chest X-Ray alone will not suffice to prove that you don't have TB.
Tests for MMR Vaccination Proof
Tests for MMR vaccination (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) is done through a single blood test. The blood test checks the levels of
IgG antibody titre tests. These tests check the levels of antibodies in your blood against each of these viruses. If you have ever been infected or have had adequate vaccination, your blood will show elevated levels of these antibodies. The MMR antibodies test report is available within 3-5 days at our laboratory in Pune. It is a simple blood test. The report is shared with you as a PDF and you can upload the same at your university website.
What is considered as an adequate Measles vaccination proof?
Measles IgG antibodies above the threshold cut-off are considered to prove that vaccination has been adequate or that you have had prior exposure. The same applies for Mumps and Rubella.
Can the blood test tell the difference between previous infection and vaccination?
No, the lab report only defines the level of antibodies. It cannot distinguish if you were infected or have been vaccinated.
What if the titre is not above the threshold?
In case the titre is below the threshold, you will need to get a booster dose of the vaccine, or get yourself retested after 2-3 weeks, incase you have already had the booster dose.
Diptheria-Pertussis-Tetanus Vaccination Proof
Vaccination Proof for Diptheria, Pertussis and Tetanus is also done through a single blood test. Three seperate IgG antibodies are tested, the titre levels need to be above the threshold to provide proof as immunization. You can find information about these tests at our pages :
By: Dr.Bhargav Raut