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Home Student Health Center Immunization Health Services MMR & Varicella Vaccination

MMR & Varicella

Immunizations Required Under Tennessee State Law

All students registering attending courses at the University of Memphis must show proof of immunizations. Documentation of 2 MMR immunizations or proof of immunity for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella and documentation of 2 Varicella immunizations or proof of immunity for Varicella (Chicken Pox) are required. Acceptable documentation and special notes concerning these requirements are listed below.

Acceptable immunization documents are:

  • The Certificate of Immunization Form completed and signed by health care provider
  • A copy of an official immunization card.
  • Shot record from your local Public Health Department.
  • Military form DD214.
  • Active Military – ID copy must be shown.
  • Official documentation from a prior college or university.
  • Proof of Immunity 
    • A positive result for all three components of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Titer test
    • A positive result for the Varicella Zoster IgG (Chicken Pox) test
      • Or if diagnosed with the disease of Chicken Pox or Shingles, the student may provide documentation from a healthcare provider (i.e. physician, nurse practitioner, etc.) confirming when the student had the disease.


MMR - Special Notes

  • Graduate students who graduated from a Tennessee high school in May 1999 or after may send a copy of their high school diploma or documentation of 2 MMR immunizations.
  • Students who graduated from a Tennessee high school between May 1979 and May 1998, must provide documentation of ONE MMR immunization given after their graduation date or documentation of 2 MMR immunizations.


The following students are not required to provide MMR documentation: 

  • If you were born before 1957
  • Part-time student (If status changes to full-time, documentation must be provided.)
  • Undergraduate student who graduated from a Tennessee high school in May 1999 or thereafter


Varicella/Chicken Pox - Special Notes

Students who graduated from a Tennessee high school between May 1999 and May 2016, must provide documentation of ONE Varicella immunization given after their graduation date or documentation of 2 Varicella immunizations


The following students are not required to provide Varicella documentation:

  • If you were born before January 1, 1980
  • Part-time student (If status changes to full-time, documentation must be provided.)
  • Students who graduated from a Tennessee high school after June 1, 2016

If immunization documentation is not in English, the student must have the documentation translated into English by an official translator or simply ask their health care provider to complete the Certificate of Immunization Form.  When the form is signed by a provider from outside the US, the form must also be stamped with the organizations stamp.    

Exemptions may be requested if the student has an allergy to a vaccine component, has a valid medical condition which contraindicates receiving the vaccine, or has religious tenets prohibiting vaccinations. 

When immunizations are medically contraindicated, a physician must provide a signed written statement indicating which immunizations are contraindicated and why the immunizations are contraindicated. The letter may be faxed to our office at 901.678.3124.

Religious exemptions may be requested. An original signed and notarized request form, affirmed under penalties of perjury that the vaccination conflicts with the religious tenets and practices of the student must be submitted in-person or mailed to the Student Health Center.  

If an exempted student contracts Measles, Mumps, Rubella, or Varicella, or if a Measles, Mumps, Rubella, or Varicella outbreak occurs, it will be the student’s responsibility to remain off campus until a physician gives written permission for the student to return to campus


Meningitis – Special Notes

The State of Tennessee requires all new students under the age of 22 who will be living in a University of Memphis residence to be immunized against meningococcal disease (Meningitis MCV4 immunization), on or after their 16th birthday, and show proof of receiving this immunization before moving into their residence. If this documentation is not provided, students will not be allowed to move into their residence.

Documentation may be uploaded, faxed, mailed or brought to Student Health Services.  

Upload immunization documents at: https://umwa.memphis.edu/immunizations

Our Mailing Address:
Student Health Services
200 Hudson Health Center
Memphis, TN 38152

Our fax number:
901.678.3124