Immunization Requirements
Louisiana Law and Medical Recommendations
Louisiana law (R.S. 17:170 - Schools of Higher Learning) requires proof of dates of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria for all first-time students born on or after January 1, 1957, and for reentering students (born on or after January 1, 1957) who have been out of school for one semester or longer. The requirements were established for the purpose of meeting the established recommendations for control of vaccine-preventable diseases, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the United States Public Health Service (ACIP), and the American College Health Association (ACHA). Louisiana law subsequently mandated meningococcal meningitis vaccination for persons admitted to a postsecondary education institution starting in the Fall 2006 semester and thereafter. This was satisfied by giving the meningococcal ACWY vaccine. Since 2006 a meningococcal B vaccine has been developed, which covers a strain not covered by the ACWY vaccine. Though not currently mandated, the meningococcal B vaccine is strongly encouraged.
The Office of Health Information collects the immunization records for all incoming students. The State of Louisiana requires all incoming students to have the following vaccinations prior to beginning coursework:
- 2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- 1 dose of TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) administered within the past 10 years
- 1 dose of Meningococcal (meningitis) administered on or after your 16th birthday
See the Louisiana Department of Health's Immunization Schedule for additional information on required and/or recommended vaccines.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the above information, please contact:
Erica Johnson
health@centenary.edu
ejohnson@centenary.edu
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
All students at Centenary are required to be vaccinated against a number of diseases. On October 18, 2021 COVID-19 was added to that list. Louisiana law and Centenary policies allow for two possible exceptions to the vaccine requirement.
If you would like to apply for an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement based on your own personal/religious beliefs, you may complete this form online.
Before you start the form: Please note that in order to complete this form you will need to attach a personal statement detailing the religious basis for your vaccination objection, explaining why you are requesting this religious exemption and the religious principle(s) that guide your objections to vaccination. This can be a Word or pdf document; you will upload it as part of the submission process. You will not need any other additional documentation, but please be aware that requests without a sincere personal belief statement attached will not be considered.
The medical exemption request form must be downloaded or printed and completed on paper. The student will complete the first two pages, then sign and return those two pages to the Health Information office. Next, you will fill in the “Patient Information” block at the end of the document. The final two pages of the file must be given to a physician or other qualified health provider for completion. He or she will complete the two-page form and send it directly to the covid@centenary.edu email address. If the health provider does not fill out the form completely, the request cannot be considered.
Questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement should be directed to covid@centenary.edu.
Obtaining Immunization Records
Many states have immunization databases that can be accessed to obtain immunization records. You must have received immunizations in that particular state or it will not be in their database. See below for regional links:
Louisiana: MyIR Mobile
Texas: ImmTrac2
Arkansas: you can request your records here.
Oklahoma: OSIIS
Mississippi: MyIR Mobile