Immunizations

Please review all information on this page very carefully, as there have been recent updates to the immunization submission process. The immunization requirements are for general university attendance and are separate from any athletic or academic program requirements.

Requirements

The State of Illinois College Student Immunization Act (110-ILCS-20) and the Illinois Department of Public Health College Immunization Code (77 Ill. Adm.Code 694) requires all domestic and international students enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours per semester provide documentation of current immune status with respect to certain communicable diseases.

Immunization Requirements for College Attendance

• Measles – Mumps – Rubella: Two (2) measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) valid vaccines after the first birthday, at least 28 days apart. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccines, serologic evidence (IGG antibody titers), a copy of lab report to prove positive immunity is acceptable.
• Diphtheria – Tetanus – Pertussis: Three (3) vaccines that contain tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, one of which must be Tdap vaccine. The last dose of vaccine must be within 10 years. Vaccines must be at appropriate intervals (#1 and #2 at least 28 days apart, #3 no less than six months after #2). Tetanus toxoid (TT or tetanus) is not acceptable.
• Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4): One (1) meningococcal conjugate vaccine after the age of 16 for newly admitted students starting spring 2017 under the age of 22. Meningitis or meningococcal vaccinations are not acceptable. Additional information about meningococcal disease is available from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Due Dates

Acceptable Documentation

All records must be legible and include student’s full name and date of birth.

Acceptable immunization records include:

• The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Vax Verify
• Records from your high school or other educational institution
• Records from your health care provider’s office
• Records from your patient portal (My Chart), which may be accessed through your health care organization
• Records from your State’s Immunization Information System (IIS)
• Military records – You may submit your military vaccination records which may be accessible through one of the following sites:
  • VetRecs
  • Military Service Records

Our NIU Immunization History form (PDF) is provided here for your reference. You may choose to take it to your provider for completion.

Immunization Submission Process

Northern Illinois University has partnered with Med+Proctor for immunization verification. Please carefully review the information below.

You must register for a new account in Med+Proctor using these steps:

• Register for your new Med+Proctor account by visiting MedProctor.
• Use your NIU student email address (ZIDNumber@students.niu.edu) and myNIU credentials to create your account.
• Complete your NIU Med+Proctor profile.
• Upload your immunization records to your Med+Proctor account for compliance verification.
• If you do not have your immunization records, download and print the Immunization History Form (PDF). Have your medical provider complete and sign the form. Upload the completed form to your Med+Proctor account.
• Once your immunization records are uploaded to your Med+Proctor account, they will be reviewed for compliance. You will be notified by Med+Proctor if any requirements are missing, so it is very important that you check your NIU student email account for communications from Med+Proctor.

Please note: there is no charge for the standard immunization verification process with Med+Proctor. The processing time for record review is between 24 and 72 hours, but may take up to 5 days. There is an optional $10 fee for expedited processing. The optional fee also provides lifetime access to your immunization records from Med+Proctor. If you are submitting records prior to the due date, the expedited review is not necessary.

Need help? Live chat assistance is available from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. central time. You may also contact help@medproctor.com or visit frequently asked questions.

Exemptions and Assistance

Contact the Immunization Compliance and Records Office at 815-753-9585 for exemption information, (e.g., students born before 1/1/1957), medical or religious. Note: re-entering students must contact the  Immunization Compliance and Records Office to verify current immunization status.

• Religious exemption from immunization requirements form (PDF)

Compliance

Until your records are reviewed and approved by Med+Proctor, you will see an item on your “To Do” list in MyNIU. That item will disappear once you are considered compliant and our system has updated.

Failure to comply with the above State of Illinois immunization requirements may result in a registration hold. Compliance with this requirement is not associated with any other immunization requirement for college or program associated with Northern Illinois University. Please contact your department for all other requirements.

International Students

All international students are required to comply with the immunization requirements listed above. International students are also required to have Tuberculosis (Tb) screening at the Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center at NIU. Please contact their office at 815-306-2777 to make an appointment.