4.8.1 Immunizations Against Disease During an Outbreak or Epidemic

During an epidemic or a threatened epidemic of any disease preventable by immunization at a University System of Georgia (USG) institution, and when an emergency has been declared by appropriate health authorities of this State, the President of the institution, in conjunction with the Chancellor and appropriate health authorities, may promulgate rules and regulations specifying diseases against which immunizations may be required.

Any individual who cannot show proof of immunity or adequate immunization and refuses to be immunized shall be excluded from any USG institution or facility until valid evidence of immunization against the disease is presented or the epidemic or threat no longer constitutes a significant public health danger.

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4.8.2 Immunization Requirements for Students

Each USG institution shall implement immunization requirements for all new students (first-year, transfers, and others) as directed by policy consistent with recommendations provided by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, developed collaboratively by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Division of Public Health of the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Such policies shall be on file in each institution’s office of student affairs.

Each institution shall make information regarding required and recommended immunizations available to every new student, using information developed by the Division of Public Health in concert with the Office of Student Services of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Specific institutions or departments, with concurrence of the president and the Chancellor, may require some immunizations not required for all new students by this policy. Institutions are also authorized to impose additional immunization requirements for students when, in the opinion of the president of the institution and with concurrence of the Chancellor and appropriate public health authorities, there is a substantial risk of exposure to other communicable diseases preventable by vaccination (BoR Minutes, 1990-91, p.114).

Pursuant to legislation enacted in 2003, all students residing in campus housing are required to sign a document stating that they have received a vaccination against meningococcal disease or reviewed the information provided by the institution (BoR Minutes, October 2003).

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