Immunizations and Health Screening

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, staff, and patients, it is the policy of the
Program to require proof of immunizations and general good health of the student prior to
matriculation into the academic and clinical years. Both completion of immunizations and
completion of a general health screening require documentation to proceed within the
program. All costs incurred before and during the PA Program related to immunizations and the
general health screening will be the student’s responsibility.

The Bethel University Physician Assistant Program (BUPAP) immunization policy will be sent to the
student upon notification of acceptance into the Program. It will be the student’s responsibility to
provide adequate documentation of completion of the immunizations.

Generally, students will not be admitted without proper documentation. However, in instances
where immunization titers are not adequate, the student will be allowed to matriculate and will be
required to have immunizations updated and submit proof to the PA Program. All immunizations
must be completed before entering the clinical year.

Annually, or as needed, the immunization requirements will be reviewed and are subject to
update. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention recommendations for health
professionals and Bethel University’s immunization recommendations will be utilized, as well as
requested vaccinations from clinical sites. When this occurs, the students will be notified of the
updates and will be required to comply in a reasonable amount of time. Students are required
to obtain a general health screening prior to matriculation to ensure compliance with the
technical standards of the profession. Students will be notified of the general physical exam
requirements in the First Admissions Welcome Packet.

PACO 2028 Immunization Policy

Tuberculosis skin test (TST) or IGRA (TB blood test) - Must be completed within the 12 months preceding the 1st day of classes.

• BCG vaccination does not prevent testing. For students who have received the BCG vaccine, an IGRA either QuantiFERON TB Gold (QFT-G) or T-Spot, is preferred. 
  However, a TST as described below is acceptable.

• A 2-Step TST is performed within one to three weeks (7 to 21 days).

• Administer first TST following proper protocol.

  • If NEGATIVE, a second TST is performed one to three weeks after first results are read.

  • The TST must be repeated annually while enrolled in BUPAP.

  • If TST or IGRA is positive, a chest x-ray is required within the 12 months preceding the 1st day of classes.

  • If a student has recently received a live virus vaccine, TB testing should be delayed for four (4) weeks.

Hepatitis B 2 dose series (Heplisav-B) or 3 dose series (Recombivax HB or Engerix -B) AND a positive Hepatitis B surface Antibody (HBsAb) quantitative titer (greater than 10 mIU/ml). If the quantitative titer is less than 10 mIU/ml, a booster is recommended and a quantitative HBsAb rechecked one to two months later. If the blood titer is still negative, complete the series and repeat titer in one to two months after the last dose.

• 2 Dose Series (Heplisav-B)

  • 1st dose

  • 2nd dose: Given four (4) weeks after first dose

• 3 Dose Series (Recombivax HB or Engerix-B)

  • 1st dose

  • 2nd dose: Given four (4) weeks after first dos

  • 3rd dose: Given five (5) months after second dose

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis - A one-time dose of Tdap must have been completed as an adult and within the last 10 years.

MMR: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella - Two Measles (rubeola), two Mumps, and at least one Rubella OR positive titers.oIf a student is unable to document 2 Measles, 2 Mumps and 1 Rubella we will accept a positive MMR titer.

• If titer is negative or inconclusive/equivocal then start MMR vaccine 2 dose series (dose # 2 must be given a minimum of 28 days after dose # 1)

• If student HAS proof of 2 Measles, 2 Mumps and 1 Rubella, and titer is negative or inconclusive/equivocal, 2 doses of the vaccine must be given.

Influenza - Receive influenza vaccine during the fall preceding matriculation in January.

• Annual influenza vaccination is required while enrolled in the PA Program.

Varicella Zoster – Two documented doses of the Varicella Vaccine OR a positive titer.

Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) – If one (1) dose of meningococcal vaccine is documented prior to the age of 16, a booster is required.

• If vaccine is administered after the age of 16, no booster is required.

Poliovirus Vaccine – Documentation of completed IPV series as a child

• Adults known or suspected to be unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated: administer remaining doses (1, 2, or 3 IPV doses) to complete a 3-dose primary series

• Note: Complete primary series consists of at least 3 doses of IPV or trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (tOPV) in any combination.

COVID Vaccine: The COVID Vaccine is strongly recommended but is not required by Bethel University and its Physician Assistant Program. However, there are facilities (nursing homes, clinics, and hospitals) that PA Students visit during both the Didactic and Clinical years of the PA Program that do require the COVID Vaccine. Failure to meet the requirements of these facilities to conduct training could result in delaying progression to graduation. To graduate from Bethel University’s Physician Assistant Program, the PA Student must meet all Didactic and Clinical Year requirements.

*BUPAP follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for health professionals and Bethel University’s vaccine recommendations. For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-medical-condition.html#table-conditions

Procedure for Immunizations:

1)The student will be notified prior to matriculation of the currently required immunizations from the CDC recommendations for health professionals, Bethel University’s immunization recommendations.

2)After receiving the immunization, the student uploads verification of the immunization(s) onto Verified Credentials to ensure documentation of all required immunizations.

3)Verified Credentials reports are sent to students to verify requirement completion.

4)Annually, students will meet with the clinical team prior to the clinical phase and review their immunization status. Any revised requirements will be discussed, and a procedure will be set in place to ensure the completion of any required immunizations.

5)Financial responsibility for all lab and medical expenses related to immunizations lies with the students.

Procedure for General Physical Exam:

1)Students will be notified prior to the matriculation of the general health screening requirement.

2)Students will be seen by a licensed practitioner for the general physical exam.

3)The BUPAP Physical Examination Form must be filled out by a licensed practitioner and the form sent to the Admissions Department to be placed in the student file.

4)Financial responsibility for all lab and medical expenses related to the general health screening lies with the students.