College and university school-required immunization guidance and resources

Per Colorado Board of Health rule 6 CCR 1009-2, students attending Colorado colleges or universities that have residence hall facilities within their systems are required to provide evidence of protection from measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and meningococcal disease (only if they are new college or university students residing in student housing).

These requirements apply to college or university students who are physically present at the institution and enrolled in one or more classes.

Information about MMR and meningococcal vaccine requirements can be found on the official Certificate of Immunization and Meningococcal Disease Information and Vaccine Waiver for college/university entry.

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) requirement

Prior to school entry, students are required to provide evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella by meeting one of the following requirements: 

1. Documentation of two valid doses of MMR vaccine, separated by a minimum interval of 28 days, or
2. Laboratory confirmation of positive titers for MMR when titers for all three components (measles, mumps, and rubella) are positive
   • If any single titer is negative, the student must be vaccinated with an age-appropriate MMR vaccine series meeting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) minimum intervals or provide the school with a Certificate of Exemption for the component(s) for which the titer is negative, or
3. Birth before January 1, 1957. 
   • Before MMR vaccines were available, nearly everyone was infected with measles, mumps, and rubella viruses during childhood. The majority of people born before 1957 are likely to have been infected naturally and therefore are presumed to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella. Health care personnel born before 1957 without laboratory evidence of immunity or disease should consider getting two doses of MMR vaccine. For more information, read  Center for Disease Control’s Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know.

Students who do not meet the MMR requirement and who wish to obtain an exemption from this school-required vaccine may do so by obtaining a Certificate of Medical or Nonmedical Exemption and providing that documentation to their school. Information on the process to obtain an exemption can be found on the School-required vaccine exemptions webpage.

In the event of a disease outbreak for which immunization is required, no exemption or exception from immunization shall be recognized, and exempted persons may be subject to exclusion from school and quarantine. 

Meningococcal (MenACWY) requirement

All new college or university students residing in student housing are required to review information concerning meningococcal disease and meningococcal vaccine. 

There are two ways to meet the meningococcal requirement:

1. Documentation of a meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last five years, or
2. Signing the Meningococcal Disease Information and Vaccine Waiver found on page two of the Certificate of Immunization and Meningococcal Disease Information and Vaccine Waiver for college/university entry. 

In the event of a disease outbreak for which immunization is required, no exemption or exception from immunization shall be recognized and exempted persons may be subject to exclusion from school and quarantine.

Immunization documentation

Use this table for tips on how to find your immunization record.

What if you still can’t find your records?

If records are lost, you may need to repeat some vaccinations. It is generally not harmful to receive additional vaccine doses. Your health care provider can help you make a plan.

Immunization rates for Colorado colleges/universities, schools, and child cares  

Colorado Board of Health rule 6 CCR 1009-2 requires most colleges/universities, schools (K-12), and licensed child cares to report aggregate immunization and exemption data to CDPHE annually. 

Per SB 20-163, each school shall make the immunization and exemption rates of their enrolled student population publicly available upon request.  

Individuals can access Colorado immunization data through the college/university, school, and child care immunization dashboard.

Annually, by January 15 of each year, any college or university that has residence hall facilities within their systems is required by 6 CCR 1009-2 to report aggregate immunization and exemption data, by antigen, to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Colleges and universities report their annual data to CDPHE via Formsite. The link will be sent directly to your facility’s point of contact for immunization compliance by October 1.

Use this optional College/University worksheet to assist you in preparing your college or university’s immunization data ahead of the required annual reporting to CDPHE. 

If you have questions, contact Sara Lopez, School and Child Care Nurse Consultant, or email cdphe_vacs@state.co.us. 

Using the Colorado Immunization Information System:

Access the Colorado Immunization Information System’s (CIIS) homepage for:

• Registration
• Support
• Policies and procedures
• CIIS training materials 
   

Questions? Contact the CIIS School Coordinator at cdphe_ciis_schools@state.co.us.

Contacts: 

• School and Child Care Nurse Consultant: Sara Lopez - sara.lopez@state.co.us  
• Clinical Resources Unit - cdphe_vacs@state.co.us  
• CIIS School Coordinator: Tatjana Marlow-Gibson - cdphe_ciis_schools@state.co.us  
• CIIS Help Desk - cdphe.ciis@state.co.us