Vaccinations

Health Sciences Center (HSC) Program Students

Locations: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Ardmore, Bartlesville, Duncan, Lawton, Norman, and Weatherford

HSC program students who have patient-facing responsibilities, or could reasonably be expected to be present in patient-facing areas on campus, are required to receive certain immunizations to protect patients, other students, and health care providers. The University recognizes that vaccine requirements in certain University settings, in particular patient care settings, are both prudent and important. Vaccine requirements will be updated as appropriate, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as medical and public health officials.

Required Influenza Vaccination

In addition to those vaccines listed in the OUHSC Student Immunization and TB Screening Requirements document , all HSC program students are also expected to receive an influenza vaccination each fall.

Required COVID-19 Vaccination

Effective June 1, 2021, the following individuals are required to provide a completed COVID-19 Vaccine Documentation Form.

  • Faculty, staff, and students with patient-facing responsibility.
    • For purposes of this policy, “patients” include clinical and hospital patients, mental health/counseling and allied health clients, human research participants, simulated patients, and parents/guardians of patients who cannot give legal consent. Patient-facing responsibilities include any activity that is anticipated to necessitate direct contact with or close physical proximity (6 feet) to a patient. 
  • Individuals who will observe, shadow, or volunteer in an area where patients are reasonably expected to be. 
  • Faculty, staff, and students who are participating in an elective Study Abroad program.

COVID-19 Vaccine Availability

Vaccine is available at no cost in various locations on the Health Sciences Center campus, including Student and Employee Health and in designated HSC pharmacies and clinics, as well as in the community. Vaccines for OU-Tulsa are available at various community locations; email notices will be sent when vaccines are also available for employees and students on campus.

Student Process for Vaccine Declinations

OUHSC-program students have the ability to submit declinations for a required vaccination, either on a medical basis or for religious reasons. Please note that a separate form is required for each vaccination being declined. The below steps outline the process for submitting a declination form for consideration:

  1. Complete the Vaccine Declination Form for OUHSC & OU-Tulsa Students
  2. Based on your declination reason, please gather the documentation as requested on your Vaccine Declination Form.
  3. Submit your completed Vaccine Declination Form and required documentation to the following email address, based upon your geographic campus location, using the subject line Vaccine Declination Form:
  4. Following submission, a member of the Student Affairs, Accessibility & Disability Resource Center, and/or Student Health will be in communication with you, via email or phone, to discuss your Vaccine Declination Form.

A separate Vaccine Declination Form, and supporting documentation, is required for each vaccination being declined.

Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know if I’m a patient-facing student?

Most HSC program students are considered patient-facing. If you are unsure, please ask your program coordinator, director  or college’s student service team.

Why are vaccines required?

HSC program students are required to receive immunizations to protect the patients and the health care providers they work and train with.

How do I submit proof of my vaccinations?

Your college student service team will provide directions on providing documentation. Acceptable examples of documentation are:

a.  Documentation from the Oklahoma State Immunization Information System (OSIIS) or other state’s vaccine registry                                             
b.  A legible copy of a CDC Vaccine Record card
c.  Documentation from the licensed health care provider who vaccinated the individual
d.  Other official documentation that includes the name of the provider or facility where the vaccine was provided, the manufacturer of the vaccine given, and the date(s)  of the vaccine administration

Should I keep a copy of my vaccination records?

As a health professional student, you are highly encouraged to keep a copy of all vaccination records.

If I am unsure about the vaccine, who can I call?

Please contact Student & Employee Health to discuss the research and safety of the vaccines. 

  • Tulsa: 918-660-3102
  • HSC & Remote Sites: 405-271-9675

What is the timeline of the declination review process?

Please allow 15 business days for the review.

If my declination is approved, how will I protect my patients?

Students will visit with their program/college student service team to understand next steps and possible program limitations.  Generally, all unvaccinated patient-facing students will be required to mask in all indoor campus facilities.

What happens if my declination is declined?

Students will visit with their program/college student service team to understand next steps and possible program limitations.

Will declining vaccinations be a challenge to completing my program?

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center does not control the vaccination policies of the facilities, hospitals, or physicians groups that provide clinical experiences for our students. If you are not allowed to participate in a particular clinical experience due to your vaccine declination, the University may not be able to find you an alternate clinical experience without fundamentally altering the program. If you are unable to complete the required clinical experiences, you would be unable to fulfill the requirements of your program, eliminating the opportunity to fulfill the necessary requirements for graduation. In other words, although you may be able to participate in the didactic portions of the program, if you decline required vaccinations, the University cannot guarantee that you will be able to ultimately graduate from the program.