Measles, Mumps & Rubella Clearance

Over the past several years several colleges and universities have had measles (rubeola) outbreaks which have ranged from troublesome to catastrophic, causing great loss of time and money, serious illness, and even death. We hope to avoid such problems at BYU - Hawai’i.

The Hawai’i State Department of Health requires all entering BYU - Hawai’i students born after December 31, 1956, to be immunized against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) to prevent such an outbreak. Click on the following link to review the Hawaii State Department of Health Administrative Rules regarding immunization requirements for students.

All new students entering BYU - Hawai’i must present documentation of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Click here for a form that can be printed and used to document your immunity.

Immunity to these diseases can also be established by presenting a record of immunizations, signed or stamped by a MD, DO, APRN, PA, or a copy of your school certificate of immunization. This record must include complete dates (month/day/year) for each immunization. An immunization with only the month and year may be accepted if it can be determined that the immunization met the minimum age and interval requirements.

Immunization Requirements

• Two doses of measles-containing vaccine are required, with at least one of the two being Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose must have been given on or after 12 months of age and the second must have been given at least 4 weeks after the first dose. A grace period of 4 days applies to each minimum age and interval. (e.g., If the minimum interval shown is 4 weeks, the dates of administration must be separated by at least 24 days. Intervals listed in months are measured in calendar months.)

• Two doses of the mumps vaccine are required. If you have had two MMR vaccines, your mumps vaccination requirements have been met.

• Two doses of the rubella vaccine are required. If you have had two MMR vaccines, your rubella vaccination requirements have been met.

OR

• Laboratory evidence of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella may be substituted for a record of immunizations. A laboratory report, signed by an MD, DO, APRN, or PA certifying that the student is immune to measles, mumps AND rubella is required.

Students born prior to 1957 are exempt from the measles, mumps, and rubella immunization requirement.

WE URGE ALL ENTERING STUDENTS TO OBTAIN NEEDED VACCINES NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE COMING TO CAMPUS. This does not mean TB tests (which will be given upon arrival to campus). Vaccines are usually available at your local health department or family physician's office. Please contact them to receive your required immunizations and/or documentation. The BYU - Hawai’i Health Center offers the MMR vaccine for $35.

Hawai’i State Health laws provide immunization exemptions for religious or medical reasons only. A summary of qualifying exemptions and documentation guidelines are listed below. To see the complete Hawaii State Health Administrative Rules, please click here. Your exemption request and documentation must be sent to the BYU - Hawai’i Health Center at the time of initial registration.

In the event of a measles outbreak on campus, students with exemptions will be excluded from attending classes or other BYU - Hawai’i activities until the outbreak has cleared.

Exemptions

1. A medical exemption may be granted to specific vaccines.
   • A U.S. licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) must state in writing that giving a specific vaccine would endanger the student's life or health, and specify the reason based on valid medical contraindications.
   • The physician must state the length of time during which the vaccine would endanger the student's health or life.
   • The exemption certificate must be signed by the physician on the physician's printed stationery.

2. A religious exemption may be granted if the student signs a statement certifying that the student's religious beliefs prohibit the practice of immunization.

Return a copy of your official records to: