Medical Services

Documentation and submission of a nonreactive tuberculin skin test, negative IGRA blood test, QuantiFERON Gold TB blood test, OR T-spot blood test is required by July 1 for first year learners.

• Second, Third, and Fourth-year learners are required to have an annual TB test by any of the above methods. Documentation is required annually.
• Any learners with a history of BCG vaccine must have a T-spot or QuantiFERON Gold blood TB test annually and submit documentation.
• A learner who has a positive TB test but then has a negative Chest X-ray should be directed to the Assoc. Dean of Clinical Affairs, or their designee, for counseling and setting of parameters for follow up that is appropriate to the learner’s situation.
• A learner who only had a Chest X-ray but no TB test should be directed to the Assoc. Dean of Clinical Affairs, or their designee, for counseling and setting of parameters for follow up that is appropriate to the learner’s situation.
• Any learners with a reactive tuberculin skin test must have a Tspot or QuantiFERON Gold TB blood test.
  • If POSITIVE – Documentation of a Chest x-ray with NEGATIVE results and a physical examination indicating that the learner is free of active tuberculosis within six (6) months of the first day of class is required.
  • Learners with a POSITIVE TB test and a NEGATIVE chest x-ray will be evaluated for latent TB and required to comply with taking recommended medication under Direct Observational Therapy according to CDC guidelines. If at any time while in the program, should the latent TB convert to active TB, the learner will be placed on an immediate leave of absence.
  • Learners with a POSITIVE TB test and a NEGATIVE Chest x-ray will be evaluated for latentTB and required to comply with taking recommended medication under Direct Observational Therapy according to CDC guidelines. If at any time while in the program, should the latent TB convert to active TB, the learner will be placed on an immediate leave of absence.

This is an annual requirement during the flu season (September – March). It is required that learners get the flu vaccine each year while in the program no earlier than Sept. 1. Declinations are not acceptable.

UIWSOM requires learners to submit a completed and signed medical health history and physical examination form on the approved UIWSOM form prior to matriculation by July 1 AND on a yearly basis. If there are any changes or updates to the medical history during the learner’s program of study, documentation must be submitted to Sentry MD. The information contained in the medical history and physical exam form will be used only by the UIWSOM for purposes of determining if a health threat/risk is posed for learners and/or patients during clinical experiences or clerkships. This confidential information will remain part of the secured learner file in Sentry MD.

Effective Oct. 1, 2013, a change to Texas State law (SB62) mandates that all entering students under the age of 22 provide a certificate signed by a health care provider or an official immunization record verifying that a student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five (5) years preceding admission to the University.

Required Vaccine

The meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine is required for all entering students. If the student received a dose of MenACWY before their 16th birthday, they need a booster shot for maximum protection before going to college.

An entering student includes

• A new student, including transfer students
• A student previously enrolled in any institution of higher education following a break of at least one fall or spring semester

The vaccine must be received prior to the 10th day before the first day of the semester. The vaccine is available through UIW Student Health Services utilizing the School Health Insurance Plan for a fee of $145. It is also available through your local health department, your Primary Care Physician, HEB, Walgreens, CVS and many other convenient care centers. Pricing will vary and is covered by most private health insurance at city-wide pharmacies.

Exemptions

A student, a parent, or guardian of a student, is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student, or parent, or guardian of a student submits to the institution:

1. An affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student; or
2. An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used.
3. This law does not apply to students enrolled in online-only courses or other distance education courses.

An exemption affidavit is available online and must be notarized and submitted to UIWSOM's Records Coordinator, who will send it to UIW Health Services:

• Affidavit Exemption Form (pdf)

All learners are required to submit documentation showing a complete series of the Hepatitis B vaccine AND positive quantitative results showing immunity. Either a standard Hepatitis B series (3 injections), Heplisav-B (2 injections), or the expedited Hepatitis A and B (TWINRIX) combo series (4 injections) will be accepted for proof of the vaccination series. Positive quantitative antibody titer results showing immunity are also required.

• If the Hepatitis B surface antibody titer is negative or nonreactive, the entire series must be repeated as well as quantitative antibody titer results.
• Learners who are non-responders should be considered susceptible to HBV and must be counseled by the Medical Director of UIWSOM Health Services. To be considered a non-responder, the learner must upload documentation of two complete series and two negative or non-reactive quantitative titers to Sentry MD.

One dose of adult Tdap is required. If theTdap is more than ten (10) years old, a Td booster is required. Learners should receive decennial Td boosters, beginning ten (10) years after receiving Tdap.

Two vaccines of each component or the combo (MMR) following the first birthday OR lab report of positive quantitative antibody titer for all three (3) components is required.

• In cases of pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, DO NOT get the MMR vaccine, for low or negative quantitative titers. Medical documentation in writing of such instances is required to be submitted to Sentry MD and written notification given to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs.

One of the following is required:

• Two (2) vaccines following the first birthday OR positive quantitative titer results.
• Documented history of chickenpox AND positive quantitative titer results.
  • If the quantitative titer results are negative or equivocal, the learner will be required to recomplete the vaccination series; OR submit evidence of a booster vaccine AND positive quantitative titer results showing immunity. 

Documentation of at least three (3) vaccinations of IPV/OPV - OR polio titer results.

• If polio titer results are equivocal or low, a booster vaccine of IPV is required.

The COVID-19 vaccine is strongly encouraged prior to matriculation. Medical students will participate in clinical experiences that may require the vaccination.