Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to occur on American college campuses. In order to ensure the safest possible environment for University of Kentucky students, the university has recommendations for immunizations students should receive prior to enrollment. These are based upon recommendations and guidelines issued by the American College Health Association (ACHA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The University of Kentucky requires meningitis vaccine for incoming freshmen living in university residence halls (dormitories). Find instructions for filing campus housing meningitis vaccine requirements online here.

UK also strongly recommends that all incoming students be immunized before enrollment (either through vaccination or naturally acquired immunity) against the following illnesses:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• HPV
  • HPV Vaccine: What Everyone Should Know
  • Gardasil9
  • Cervarix
• Influenza (Flu)
• Measles, Mumps, & Rubella
• Meningococcal meningitis – required for students living in on-campus housing (students age 21 years and younger are required to have had a dose at age 16 or older)
  • Meningitis B - new vaccine for additional bacterial meningitis protection
• Pneumococcal disease (for students with history of asthma, smoking, diabetes, liver disease or immune suppression)
  • Pneumococcal Conjugate
  • Pneumococcal Polysaccharide
• Polio
• Tetanus (Tdap), Diphtheria (Tdap), & Pertussis (Tdap)
• Varicella (chicken pox)

Please note that some colleges, including the Colleges of Dentistry, Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health, require vaccinations or proof of immunity. More information on college-specific immunization policies can be found on your college’s website.

International students should consult the International Students page for health-related policies specific to their status as international students.

Most students who attended elementary school in Kentucky should already be protected and up to date on all these vaccines, except perhaps for meningitis. Students from out of state, those who have been homeschooled, or those who have avoided immunizations, may need one or more of these vaccines. UHS can administer vaccines to students who are not already fully protected. 

If you have questions regarding the immunization recommendations, you can call: 859-323-4636.