Existing MMR exemptions expire on June 30, 2021

This is an important update for students who have an existing exemption to the university’s measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine requirement, as enforced by Colorado law.

The Colorado law for school entry immunizations, SB20-163, was updated in 2020 and takes effect this year. Based on the new law, your current MMR exemption will expire on June 30, 2021 and you must take new action to meet the university requirement.

You must do one of the following:

  • Get the vaccinations and submit those records,
  • Submit existing MMR vaccination records,
  • Submit an MMR titer that demonstrates immunity,
  • OR obtain a new exemption.

This must be completed by the first day of fall semester classes – Monday, August 23, 2021. If you do not take action by this deadline, a registration hold will be placed on your student account for spring 2022 course registration until you meet the requirement.

Please read the following information carefully to take action by the deadline and avoid the registration hold.

Get the MMR vaccinations and submit those records:
  • Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the spread of these highly-contagious diseases. Vaccines reduce the risk to your own health and well-being while also protecting members of our community who are medically unable to receive certain vaccines. Learn more about the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
  • Make an appointment with a local healthcare provider, or call (970) 491-7121 to make an appointment with CSU Health Network Immunizations Department.
  • The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is a covered benefit under most health insurance plans, including the CSU-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). This means there is likely no additional out-of-pocket costfor you to receive the vaccine under most health insurance plans.
  • If you receive the vaccinations outside of CSU Health Network, you must upload your records. Follow the steps outlined in “How to submit your documentation in the CSU Student Health Portal” section below and select “Immunization Record” under Document Type.
Submit existing MMR records:
  • If you have received the MMR vaccinations and would like to upload your records, follow the steps outlined in “How to submit your documentation in the CSU Student Health Portal” section below and select “Immunization Record” under Document Type.
  • If you cannot locate your records, we suggest checking with your high school or previous college or university (if transfer or graduate student), your childhood healthcare provider, or your local county health department in the location where you were vaccinated. If you were vaccinated in Colorado, you can also check the Colorado Immunizations Information System (CIIS).
Submit an MMR titer that demonstrates immunity:
  • The MMR titer is a blood test that measures your antibody levels to check for immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. To get this test, make an appointment with a local healthcare provider, or call (970) 491-7121 to make an appointment with CSU Health Network Immunizations Department.
  • To upload your test results, follow the steps outlined in “How to submit your documentation in the CSU Student Health Portal” section below and select “MMR Titer” under Document Type.
How to obtain a new MMR exemption:
  • You have the legal right to sign an exemption from the MMR vaccination requirement for medical and nonmedical reasons. If a case of these vaccine-preventable diseases occurs on CSU’s campus and your immunity is unknown, you could be quarantined from campus for your own protection for three weeks or longer. Missing classes for three weeks or more may have implications regarding tuition or academic progress. Whether or not absences are excused would be determined at that time, based on circumstances of the outbreak.
  • If you decide to wait until an outbreak occurs to receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, you will be considered susceptible to infection for 21 days following the first dose and would still be quarantined and unable to enter an outbreak area for three weeks.
  • It is also important to think about the risk of exposure to measles and other communicable illnesses that you may encounter during travel.
  • If you wish to file a nonmedical exemption from the MMR vaccination requirement, you have two options:
    • Option 1: Complete the Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption. This should be completed by the student (if age 18 or older) and signed by their immunizing health care provider (must be a healthcare provider outside of CSU Health Network). Once signed, follow the steps below to upload this document to the CSU Student Health Portal.
    • Option 2: Complete the Online Immunization Education Module.  This module will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and is available 24/7.  At the end of the module, you will need to download a certificate of nonmedical exemption and then follow the steps below to upload the certificate to the CSU Student Health Portal.
  • For students who wish to complete a medical exemption from the MMR vaccination requirement, please follow the guidance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Once you have obtained a completed certificate of medical exemption, please follow instructions below under “How to submit your documentation in the CSU Student Health Portal” to submit your certificate.

 **How to submit your documentation in the CSU Student Health Portal**

  1. Log in to the CSU Student Health Portal with your CSU Net ID (formally eName) and password.
  2. Select “Document Upload” in the navigation menu.
  3. Select the appropriate category under Document Type – “Immunization Records,” “MMR Titer,” or “MMR Exemption.”
  4. Upload the scanned copy or photo of your MMR records, MMR titer, or Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption by using the “Select File” button and select your certificate. Your file should not exceed 3MB.  Select the “Save” button when finished.
  5. Please allow 2-3 weeks to process your records. After your records are processed, you will receive an email indicating that you have met the immunizations requirement, or requesting that you submit additional information in order to meet the requirement.

For further questions, please call (970) 491-7121.

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