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Northern Illinois University

Health Services

Photo of person receiving immunization shot

Immunization Information

Congratulations on your acceptance to Northern Illinois University. The Illinois College Student Immunization Act (110-ILCS 20) and university policy requires all students born on or after January 1, 1957, enrolling in a class at the NIU DeKalb campus to provide written evidence of current immune status with respect to certain communicable diseases, or evidence of exemption from this requirement, by the tenth day of the first term enrolled.

Exemptions

You could be exempt from these requirements if you are;

  • A student born prior to January 1, 1957
  • Enrolled at NIU prior to fall term 1989
  • Enrolled in a course held at an off campus location. Please note some off-campus courses do require immunizations; please consult with your advisor.

For medical/religious exemption information, contact Health Services at (815) 753-9585.

Required Immunizations

Immunizations do NOT have to be submitted on our form. We accept signed copies of immunization records from high schools, other universites or colleges, as well as health care providers. A physical examination is NOT required. A form is available at the bottom of this page.

  • Td (Tetanus/Diphtheria) -
    1 booster dose of combined Td or Tdap within 10 years, Tetanus Toxoid (TT) is not acceptable. *Students born outside the United States must provide documentation of a minimum of 3 doses (DPT/Td) with at least 1 dose within 10 years or re-immunize.
  • Measles (Rubeola, Hard, Red, 10-day) -
    2 doses no less than 1 month apart and administered both after your first birthday and after January 1, 1968; or physician diagnosis of disease; or copy of a lab report proving a significant level of antibodies for immunity to rubeola.
  • Mumps -
    1 dose administered both after your first birthday and after January 1, 1968; or physician diagnosis of disease; or copy of a lab report proving a significant level of antibodies for immunity to mumps.
  • Rubella (German Measles, 3-day) -
    1 dose administered both after your first birthday and after January 1, 1970; or copy of a lab report proving a significant level of antibodies for immunity to rubella. **Note: History of disease is not acceptable for compliance.

Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella can be combined MMR.

Other Vaccines

The following vaccines are not required but are offered at Health Services. Read more about the fees associated with these vaccines on the Preventive Medicine page.

  • Meningitis vaccine Special groups that should be voluntarily immunized include freshmen living in residence halls; individuals without a spleen; and those who have sickle cell disease or other immune disorders.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine consists of a series of three injections over a six-month period.
  • HPV vaccine is available at Health Services for women up to age 26. 

Important submission information

All immunization information must be mailed to:

Northern Illinois University
Health Services, attn Immunization Office
DeKalb, Illinois 60115-2879

Records may also be faxed to the Health Services Immunization Office at (815) 753-9599

Please have your name and ZID number on any information submitted. A health care provider must sign all information. You will be notified at your NIU e-mail account if any additional information is required. We recommend that you keep a copy for your own records. All required and recommended immunizations may be obtained at Health Services for an additional charge. To avoid a late fee all immunizations must be on file and in compliance with the state law by the tenth day of the first term enrolled. A registration encumbrance will also be placed on the records of students who are not in compliance. For assistance you may contact the Immunization Office at (815) 753-9585.