FAU Student Health Services Immunizations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Where can I obtain my shot records?
What is a MMR?
Where is the Immunization Office located?
How do I submit my completed Immunization Form?
I am not attending the Boca Raton campus. Do I still turn in my immunization records there?
Should I send my immunization records together with the rest of my application packet or should they be sent directly to Student Health Services?
I am faxing my immunization records. Do I still need to mail the original?
I have been a previous student at FAU. Do you still have my immunization records on file?
I have attended another state university; do I still have to show proof of immunization when the requirements are the same?
I am a transient student from another Florida public university. How can I take care of my immunization requirement?
I had my transcripts sent to FAU and they were supposed to include my immunization records. Why don't you have a copy of them?
I am going to live in the residence halls. Are there any extra requirements?
What if I have a medical reason for not getting the vaccinations?
I may be pregnant or I am currently pregnant and nursing. What can I do if I don't have my immunization records?
What can I do if my religious convictions prohibit me from getting vaccinated?
What if I just don't believe in getting shots? What do I do then?
I recall having the disease of measles and/or rubella. Doesn't that prove that I am immune?
I have had children. Didn't they test for immunity to measles and rubella when I was pregnant?
I was in the military, doesn't this prove that I have had all of my immunizations?
If I have documents from the health department, do I still need to complete the FAU Immunization Form?
If I was born before 1957, do I still need to fill out this form?
Why were my documents good enough to get through public school, but not good enough for the university?
I received my first shot before my first birthday, why would this be unacceptable?
My parents kept a "baby book" with the dates of my vaccines. Is that official enough?
What if my doctor doesn't have an office stamp?
I am not a student at FAU yet. Can I use your clinic to get the shots or have a titer?
I have attended FAU and now I need my immunization records. How can I get a copy of them?
I did not find the answer to my question. How can I get it answered?

Where can I obtain my shot records?

Contact your parents to see if they have any official documentation for you. Good sources of documentation include public schools, previous colleges and/or universities that you have attended. Previous physicians may also have the records.

What is a MMR?

A MMR is a Measles, Mumps and Rubella combination shot.

Where is the Immunization Office located?

The Immunization Office is located in the Student Support Building (SU80), Room 114 on the Boca Raton Campus.

How do I submit my completed Immunization Form?

The completed form should be mailed to Florida Atlantic University, Student Health Services Immunization Office, 777 Glades Road, SU80, Room 114, Boca Raton, FL 33431 or faxed to 561-297-2769. If you have any questions, phone 561-297-0048.

I am not attending the Boca Raton campus. Do I still turn in my immunization records there?

Yes. The Immunization Office on the Boca Raton campus handles the immunization information for students of all other campuses.

Should I send my immunization records together with the rest of my application packet or should they be sent directly to Student Health Services?

To avoid delays, please mail or fax your immunization records directly to the Immunization Office.

I am faxing my immunization records. Do I still need to mail the original?

No, a legible faxed copy of your shot records and Immunization Form is enough. However, it is a good idea to call after you fax to confirm that the information was received and that it is legible.

I have been a previous student at FAU. Do you still have my immunization records on file?

Public universities in Florida are required to keep records for seven years from the time they were submitted. If it has been more than seven years, you may check with us to see if we still have them and if they meet the current requirements.

I have attended another state university; do I still have to show proof of immunization when the requirements are the same?

Each university stores the immunization data differently and these systems are not linked together. Also, the requirement states that each university must have a copy of every student's immunization record on file.

I am a transient student from another Florida public university. How can I take care of my immunization requirement?

You need to provide us with a copy of your Transient Student Form from a State university in Florida showing that they have your immunization information on file.

I had my transcripts sent to FAU and they were supposed to include my immunization records. Why don't you have a copy of them?

College transcripts generally do not contain immunization records, but many high school transcripts do. Check with our office to see if we have received your records.

I am going to live in the residence halls. Are there any extra requirements?

Yes in addition to the measles/rubella vaccines you need to either show that you have had the Meningococcal Meningitis and the Hepatitis B vaccines or waive the vaccines.

What if I have a medical reason for not getting the vaccinations?

A medical exemption can be submitted by the attending physician and it must include the medical reason for the exemption.

I may be pregnant or I am currently pregnant and nursing. What can I do if I don't have my immunization records?

You may submit a dated letter from your physician stating your situation. Another option would be to have your blood tested for immunity to measles and rubella (results must be positive). Pregnant women are routinely tested for rubella, so you could get a copy of that from your OB/GYN. Keep in mind that either way, you still need to fill out an FAU Immunization Form.

What can I do if my religious convictions prohibit me from getting vaccinated?

Contact the Immunization Office for more information.

What if I just don't believe in getting shots? What do I do then?

You have the option of having a blood test done to show the presence of the Measles and Rubella antibodies. If the test results are positive and show immunity to Measles and Rubella, then this would be acceptable. However, if these tests show negative immunity, then you would have to show proof of immunization.

I recall having the disease of measles and/or rubella. Doesn't that prove that I am immune?

Having had rubella (German Measles) is NOT sufficient proof of immunity to rubella.

A doctor's letter stating that you have had the disease of measles on a specific date is sufficient to show immunity to this disease.

I have had children. Didn't they test for immunity to measles and rubella when I was pregnant?

Women are routinely tested for immunity to rubella (NOT measles) when pregnant. You may get a copy of the lab results showing positive immunity from your OB/GYN for this part of the immunization requirement. You still need to prove that you are immune to measles.

I was in the military, doesn't this prove that I have had all of my immunizations?

No. While most people in the military have received many immunizations, you must submit the actual immunization dates.

Veterans Affairs is usually a good source for getting a copy of your shot records.

If I have documents from the health department, do I still need to complete the FAU Immunization Form?

Yes. We must have a signed Immunization Form on file for every student who attends class at FAU.

If I was born before 1957, do I still need to fill out this form?

We must have a signed Immunization Form on file for every student who attends FAU.

Why were my documents good enough to get through public school, but not good enough for the university?

Until recently, almost all public schools in Florida only required that you have one dose of the Measles immunization. The State of Florida now requires two doses of the Measles immunization.

This means that you could have gone all through public school with only one Measles immunization which does not meet the current requirements. Private schools may not have had any immunization requirements.

I received my first shot before my first birthday, why would this be unacceptable?

Immunizations given prior to your first birthday may be ineffective because your immune system is not fully developed. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends that the Measles and Rubella immunizations be given after you are one year old.

My parents kept a "baby book" with the dates of my vaccines. Is that official enough?

In order for it to be official, it needs to have a doctor's signature and/or stamp.

What if my doctor doesn't have an office stamp?

You may attach your doctor's business card or have him/her write your immunization dates on his/her letterhead.

I am not a student at FAU yet. Can I use your clinic to get the shots or have a titer?

Yes. Prospective students may use our clinic to receive MMRs, Hepatitis B and Meningitis vaccines, as well as titers for Measles, Rubella and Hepatitis B.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (561) 297-2276.

I have attended FAU and now I need my immunization records. How can I get a copy of them?

You can either come in person to our office (Student Support Building, room 114) with a picture ID, or you can mail or fax a request.

Our fax number is (561) 297-2769. The request should contain your name, your social security number, a short note with instructions of what to do with your records, and it should also have your signature.

I did not find the answer to my question. How can I get it answered?

If we have not answered your question, please email us or call us at (561) 297-0048. Thanks!