Health Requirements

Getting Started

Before you tackle the Health Requirements, take a moment to:

• Gather your health information, both historical and current, including names and dosages of any medications you take, immunization records, allergies or other conditions you may have or have had, surgeries you’ve undergone, and other relevant data.
• Read through the resource Recommended Vaccines: Are you up to date? for helpful tips about vaccines.
• Review the health history of your family members.

Once you’ve done this, you are ready to begin.

Can’t Find Your Immunization Records?

If you cannot locate immunization records, you have two options:

• Be re-vaccinated, or
• In some instances, a blood test (titer) can be used to determine the presence of antibodies. (However, if your blood test indicates an inadequate concentration of antibody, you will need to be re-vaccinated.)

Steps for Meeting Health Requirements 

If you are a new student, you are required to complete the following tasks before attending Stanford University. (If you are a returning student, now is the time to check to make sure you have complied with all previous and current requirements.)

1. Submit the Following Forms

• Consent for Treatment - The completed Consent for Treatment document gives Vaden Health Center permission to treat you, should you need care during your academic career.
• Health History - The Health History document is used to capture health information about you and your family.
• Vaden Health Center Notice of Privacy Practices - Vaden Health Center takes its privacy and confidentiality responsibilities very seriously. Our Notice of Privacy Practices outlines our commitment to protect your health information and describes circumstances under which it can be released.

Go to vadenpatient.stanford.edu and click on the ‘Medical Clearances’ section on the left-hand side of the page. Read and submit/acknowledge each of these three forms online. 

2. Enter immunization types and dates and submit (upload) proof of vaccinations (or titers). 

For 2024-2025, the following grid (best viewed on desktop) shows a summary of the immunizations that are required before you arrive at Stanford, based on the type of student you are: non-medical vs. medical/physician assistant. It also lists other immunizations that are recommended for your well-being on campus.

* Covid-19 vaccination is not currently required, but the status could change at any time. Medical and Physician Assistant students must meet the current requirements for Stanford healthcare workers, which is driven by county mandates. Check with your program for the most up-to-date information.

**These vaccines are highly recommended for specific and/or higher risk populations only.

Entering Immunization and Titer Dates

Once you have collected your vaccination records, go to vadenpatient.stanford.edu and click on the ‘Medical Clearances’ section on the left-hand side of the page. Select the immunization you wish to submit from the displayed list and enter the date it was given. Do this for each immunization you are submitting, whether it is required or recommended. Once you are finished, you will need to upload proof of the information you have entered.

Uploading Proof of Vaccinations and/or Titer Results

To upload proof of vaccination(s) and/or titers, go to vadenpatient.stanford.edu and click on the ‘Medical Clearances’ section on the left-hand side of the page. As proof of vaccination, you may submit a copy of your immunization(s) from your current health record or you may use the form we provide for you, which requires signature by your health care provider. 

Please note that there are different vaccination requirements (and forms) for non-medical students versus medical/physician assistant students. If you choose to use the form we provide, it can be found below. Be sure to use the correct form: Immunization Form for Non-Medical Students or Immunization Form for Medical and Physician Assistant Students.

• Immunization Form for Non-Medical Students 
• Immunization Form for Medical and Physician Assistant Students

There are multiple steps to satisfy this requirement, including (possibly) a visit with your provider to be immunized, deciding how you will submit your proof of immunization, and actual submission, along with entering information into the VadenPatient secure portal.

We are unable to individually confirm receipt of document(s), however, you can check to see if your forms have been verified using the VadenPatient portal (you will need your SUNet ID and password). 

• If you check the portal and see “Awaiting Review”, this means;
  1. you have not uploaded proof of vaccination, or
  2. the proof you submitted is insufficient, or
  3. your proof has not yet been verified (which can take up to 30 days). Please allow time for staff to perform this work. If you submit your proof of vaccination or titer close to the deadline, verification may not occur in time.

3. Get cleared for Tuberculosis (TB)

TB Screening: Answers to the TB Screen questions are used to assess your risk for TB and are required of all students. Some students may need to undergo TB testing.

All Medical (MD) and Physician Assistant (PA) students must undergo TB testing regardless of their TB Screen answers.

Go to vadenpatient.stanford.edu. In the ‘Medical Clearances’ section, complete and submit the TB Screen questionnaire online. Based on your answers to the TB Screen questions, you might be prompted to complete TB testing.

TB Testing (only if required based on screening or if you are an MD or PA student)

If you need to undergo testing, this chart will help you determine what type of testing you need to complete based on your medical history. 

Information Regarding Annual Testing and Vaccination for Medical (MD) & Physician Assistant (PA) Students 

IN ADDITION TO ENTRANCE HEALTH REQUIREMENTS, the following testing and vaccination are required of each MD or PA student ANNUALLY (even if the student is also pursuing another degree such as MPH, MA, MBA, or PhD).

• Tuberculosis (TB) for MD students: For annual testing, students may choose to have either a PPD test (requires a return visit to have the test result read) OR a Quantiferon blood test. (Note: entering MD students MUST complete a blood test, Quantiferon or T-Spot.)
• Tuberculosis (TB) for PA students: For annual testing, students must complete a Quantiferon blood test.
• Influenza: All MD and PA students must be immunized against influenza each year.

If You Are Unable to Upload Your Forms to VadenPatient

Important Note: You will not be able to access the VadenPatient portal until the University has fully processed your entry. (Processes can include matriculation, term activation, and other steps.) If you try to enter dates or upload forms to VadenPatient and get stuck in a non-sensical loop, chances are the university has not completed processing you. This is not cause for concern; different students get processed at different times. Please just wait a week or two and try again. You can also check with your department to get an update on your status.

If the deadline for completion is looming and you have not been able to get into VadenPatient, you may submit completed forms using:

ServiceNow

You may submit health requirement documentation using ServiceNow.  Select 'Student Services & Academics', 'Student Health', and 'Inquire about Health Requirements'. Please note that the preferred and fastest method is for you to upload your documents directly to the VadenPatient portal and enter the dates associated with each of the vaccinations you submit.

Fax (delivery is to Vaden Health Center)

• 650.498.1118

Postal Mail

• Vaden Health Center, Attn: Medical Records, 866 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-8580

Fees

• Entrance Health Vaccines and Testing: Students are responsible for the cost of the required (and recommended) vaccines and testing. Immunization and testing (if needed) should be completed prior to students’ arrival on campus. Those that are considered preventive are typically covered by insurance.
• Annual Vaccines and Testing Required by the School of Medicine and its Clerkships: The School of Medicine typically covers the cost of required annual vaccines and testing for Medical and Physician Assistant students. Medical students are responsible for fees of additional medical requirements for away rotations (ie. physical exams, titers, etc).

Exemption From Required Vaccinations

All entering students who wish to request a medical or religious exemption from the immunization requirement(s) must do so prior to the dates listed below. 

• For Autumn Quarter, exemption requests must be submitted by: August 15 (undergrads, grads, and professional students).
• For Winter Quarter, exemption requests must be submitted by: December 1.
• For Spring Quarter, exemption requests must be submitted by: March 1.
• For Summer Quarter, exemption requests must be submitted by: May 1.

If you wish to request a medical exemption from the required vaccination(s), please submit the Application for Medical Exemption from Required Vaccination. Be sure to use the form dated 2024.

If you wish to request a religious exemption from the required vaccination(s), please submit the Application for Religious Exemption from Required Vaccination. Be sure to use the form dated 2024. You must submit a form for EACH required vaccine for which you are requesting an exemption. 

Exemption requests should be made using ServiceNow (Student Health; Inquire about Student Health Requirements).

Note: purely personal attitudes, beliefs, or preferences are not acceptable grounds for exemption.

What if I Miss the Deadline? 

If you do not complete your Health Requirements or resolve all deficiencies, you will have a HOLD placed on your course registration. 

A HOLD means you won’t be able to register for classes for the quarter. You might incur additional registration fees, lose pre-selected classes, and face interruption of your loan and stipend checks. 

If a HOLD is placed on your registration, take immediate steps to complete any unmet Health Requirements. If you have questions about what you need to do to be cleared, submit a ServiceNow ticket. 

The Health Requirement process involves protected health information, and we are unable to discuss results or personal specifics with third parties without your explicit consent. 

Additional Considerations Before Your Arrival on Campus

Below, we’ve listed a few tips that may help smooth your transition to Stanford.

• Assemble a copy of your important medical records to bring with you to Stanford. 
• Make an appointment with your physician or mental health provider to discuss, complete, or transfer any treatments in progress. If you have a condition requiring ongoing treatment, ask your current provider to supply a written summary of your care needs. 
• Visit your dentist
• Refill your prescriptions
• Gather any basic over-the-counter medications you routinely use
• Assemble a basic first aid kit (bandages, scissors, etc.) - be sure to include a thermometer
• Invest in a backup pair of eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, and bring a copy of your vision-related prescription(s) with you.
• Bring face coverings for situations in which you might want or need them. 
• Make sure to pack your bike helmet
• Place your health insurance card in your wallet. Plan to carry the card with you. Alternatively, you can download/scan to your phone. 

v 07.07.24