If you’re getting ready to head into PT school, you’re going to need to make sure that your vaccinations are up to date and meet the criteria of the school that you will be attending. There are a number of different vaccinations that you’ll need to show proof of for your school, and if you’re wondering which ones they are, this article will have you covered.
While there may be some variation from state to state & school to school, most PT schools require the following vaccinations as a minimum: Measles (Rubeola), Rubella (German Measles), Mumps, Tetanus/Diphtheria, PPD (Mantoux) & Hepatitis B. Meningitis vaccination is not always required but is strongly recommended.
To get further specifics on these vaccinations, be sure to keep on reading, as they will be discussed in greater detail.
As well, if you’re preparing for PT school, be sure to check out my articles on PT School Supplies & Essentials: What Students Need to Have as well as another super helpful article, How to Prepare for PT School: Five Smart Steps to Take.
Further information on common vaccinations for PT school
Remember that requirements on these vaccinations may vary from state to state and school to school. Be sure to check specifically with the school that you will. Be attending. They will be able to supply you with further information and forms/papers for your family doctor or other medical professionals to sign off on for verification of your vaccinations.
If you’re looking to learn more on these vaccinations and how they pertain to healthcare workers, click this link to be taken to the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) website for an overview on recommended vaccinations for healthcare workers.
What about the influenza vaccine?
While schools may not necessarily require (but do recommend) annual influenza vaccinations while taking your classes on campus, students are largely encouraged to receive their annual influenza vaccination before heading out onto their clinical placements.
Some clinical rotation facilities will mandate influenza vaccination if your setting is within an environment where elderly or immuno-compromised (hospital, skilled nursing facility, etc.) will be present. Some facilities may permit you to work there without the vaccination, BUT you will be required to wear a mask at all times.
Again, this varies from facility to facility. If you need further clarification, check with the health department within your school and any clinics where you plan to complete a student rotation. The safest and easiest action to take is to simply get your flu shot every year.
Can you forego any vaccinations and still enroll within PT school?
It’s very important to understand that many vaccination requirements are state requirements while others are school requirements. State requirements mean that you are required by law to have proof of your vaccinations before entering into the healthcare field.
As an example, in the state of New York, the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccinations (collectively known as MMR vaccination) is required by the state of New York. Additional vaccination requirements such as Tetanus, PPD, Hepatitis B, etc. are school-specific requirements.
If you want a great resource for state-specific vaccination requirements for healthcare workers, here is a link from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) on immunization laws across the US.
If you’re looking for another resource, the CDC provides a link from immunize.org to a PDF that is a ane-page overview of recommended vaccinations for healthcare workers. Click this link to be taken to the PDF document.
Therefore, you cannot enroll within PT school without any and all state and school-specific vaccinations. Even if you somehow could get into PT school (and graduate) without state-required vaccinations, you would not be legally allowed to work as a healthcare provider (i.e. a physical therapist) within the state.
Gathering & submitting your vaccination records
You will need to submit written records of your vaccination history (including month, day and year of administration) to the health department within your school. As a result, you should give yourself the time required to track down and gather your records, or to schedule vaccinations for those that may need to be given to you.
Why are these vaccinations required for PT students?
Healthcare workers – be they nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, etc. all work with the general population who at times are either unwell or have an increased risk to disease, infection, etc.
As well, any healthcare worker will likely be routinely exposed to diseases (bacterial, viral, etc.) that can cause serious, life-altering (and even fatal) symptoms if exposed (but not immune) to.
Having vaccinations for serious diseases therefore protects the healthcare worker as well as the population whom they serve and treat. This should come as no surprise to you, but is worth stating just in the off-chance that you were not aware of this.
Concluding remarks
Vaccinations are a required step to take when enrolling within PT school. You cannot enroll within school without signed and written proof of every vaccination meeting the requirements for both the state and the school.
It can take some time to gather your vaccination records and arrange for future vaccinations to take place, so give yourself the required time to get this all sorted out. Your school will give you the required vaccination forms for your doctor or other healthcare professionals to sign off on. Once this has all taken place, you’ll be able to submit these required forms and any other paperwork to your school’ health department for verification.
These vaccination requirements are set in place in order to ensure the safety of yourself (just like all other healthcare practitioners) along with the populations whom you and other healthcare professionals are working with and serving.
Remember, state and school requirements for mandated vaccinations may vary slightly based on both the state and the school you’ll be within. Therefore, the best action you can take is to check with your school regarding the specifics for your vaccination requirements.
It may be a minor hassle to go through the vaccination process, but it sure beats the alternative of contracting a serious disease or illness. You’ll thank yourself, and so will your patients.
Related articles
- Physical Therapy School Supplies & Essentials: What Students Need to Have
- How to Prepare for PT School: Five Smart Steps to Take
- How PT Students Can Manage and Reduce Stress in School
- Six Study Tips for PT Students That Work for ANY PT Course
- Is Physical Therapy School Hard? What PT Students MUST Know
Hi! I’m Jim Wittstrom, PT, DPT, CSCS, Pn1.
I am a physical therapist who is passionate about all things pertaining to strength & conditioning, human movement, injury prevention and rehabilitation. I created StrengthResurgence.com in order to help others become stronger and healthier. I also love helping aspiring students and therapists fulfill their dreams of becoming successful in school and within their clinical PT practice. Thanks for checking out my site!