OTA Immunization Information

Required Program Immunizations

Required immunizations and what to expect are listed below.

COVID-19 Vaccine: Required to participate in the program and clinical placements. Must be either the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna series or the Johnson and Johnson one dose. Currently, clinical partners also require at least one booster to participate in clinical rotations. At this time, our clinical partners DO NOT accept exceptions of any kind for the COVID 19 vaccine requirements.

 

*Complete Hepatitis B immunization is not required for entry into the program. The first dose of immunization must be completed prior to admission.

Tb Testing:

OPTION #1: 2-Step Tb Test

The two-step tuberculin skin test (TST) is used to detect individuals with past tuberculosis (TB) infection.

Appointment schedule for two-step testing:

Visit 1, day 1:

• The first TST is given to the applicant/student and he/she is told to return in 48 to 72 hours for the test to be read. If the applicant/student does not return within 72 hours he/she will need to be rescheduled for another skin test.

Visit 2, day 2-3:

• The first TST is evaluated, measured, and interpreted. The results are documented in millimeters of the induration (palpable, raised, hardened area or swelling).
• If the first TST is negative, the applicant/student is given an appointment to return for a second test in 7 – 21 days.
• If the first TST is positive, it indicates that the applicant/student is infected with TB. No further testing is indicated. The applicant/student will be referred for a chest x-ray and physician evaluation. An asymptomatic applicant/student, whose chest x-ray indicates no active disease, may attend class/clinical.

Visit 3, day 7-21:

• The second TST will be given to all applicants/students whose first test was negative, using the alternate arm and he/she is told to return in 48 to 72 hours for the test to be read. If the applicant/student does not return within 72 hours he/she will need to be rescheduled to begin the entire series again.

Visit 4, 48-72 hours after the second test:

• The second TST is evaluated, measured, and interpreted. The results are documented in millimeters of induration (palpable, raised, hardened area or swelling).
• If the second TST is negative, the applicant/student is not infected.
• If the second test is positive, it indicates that the applicant/student is infected with TB. No further testing is indicated. The applicant/student will be referred for a chest x-ray and physician evaluation. An asymptomatic applicant/student, whose chest x-ray indicates no active disease, may attend class/clinical.

Annual TST

• If the applicant/student’s two-step TST will expire during the program the student will be required to get a one-step TB test no more than 12 months since their last TST the previous year (for example if the first TST was done on 6/1/2017 and the second on 6/13/2017, the student needs to have the annual TST placed BEFORE 6/1/2018).
• If the second TST is negative, the applicant/student is not infected.
• If the second test is positive, it indicates that the applicant/student is infected with TB. No further testing is indicated. The applicant/student will be referred for a chest x-ray and physician evaluation. An asymptomatic applicant/student, whose chest x-ray indicates no active disease, may attend class/clinical. 

OPTION #2: QuantiFERON

A QuantiFERON test is a type of blood test used to detect tuberculosis (TB) infection. Unlike the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST or PPD), which requires a return visit to a healthcare provider for reading the test results, the QuantiFERON test is a blood test that is processed in a laboratory.

Here's how it works:

• Blood Sample Collection: A healthcare provider will draw a small amount of blood from your arm.
• Lab Processing: The blood sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is tested for the presence of a specific protein (interferon-gamma) released by the immune system in response to the TB bacteria.
• Results: Results are usually available within 24 to 48 hours after the laboratory receives the blood sample. However, the exact turnaround time can vary depending on the lab's workload and testing protocols.

The QuantiFERON test is considered more convenient than the TST because it does not require a follow-up visit to interpret the results. It is also believed to be more accurate in certain populations, such as those who have received the BCG vaccine, which can cause false-positive results with the TST.

Influenza:

Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and those you care for from the flu. There are many different flu viruses and they are constantly changing. The flu vaccines are reviewed and updated annually to match the circulating flu viruses.

The vaccination usually becomes available in late summer/early fall and is available at local pharmacies or through your healthcare provider. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the vaccination is for the current year. This program requires that all students receive the annual flu vaccine or sign a declination form. However, specific healthcare institutions may require vaccination without exception, alternate clinical rotation arrangements will not be made.

Covid-19:

To ensure a safe learning environment for all, students are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine plus at least one booster dose.

Hepatitis B:

The Hepatitis B vaccination is a series of 3 intramuscular injections completed at appropriate time intervals (1 and 6 months after the initial dose) and a post vaccination titer (blood draw) at 6-8 weeks after the series completion. If the titer is negative, then the series is repeated and another titer is drawn 6-8 weeks after the completion of the second series. This vaccination can be obtained through your healthcare provider.

Students may also provide documentation of a positive titer (anti-HBs or HepB Sab) or sign a vaccination declination. However, specific healthcare institutions may require vaccination without exception, alternate clinical rotation arrangements will not be made.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella):

Proof of vaccination (2 doses at appropriate intervals). The first dose is usually done at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. Most teens and adults should be up to date on MMR vaccinations. Students may also provide proof of measles immunity, mumps immunity and rubella immunity by titer (3 separate titers). This vaccination can be obtained through your healthcare provider.

Varicella:

Proof of vaccination (2 doses administered at least 4 weeks apart) or proof of immunity by titer. This vaccination can be obtained through your healthcare provider.

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertusis (Tdap):

The Tdap vaccine protects from tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis and is routinely given at age 11 or 12. It is only required once. The Td booster vaccine is required every ten years, and protects against tetanus and diphtheria. This vaccination can be obtained through your healthcare provider.

 

Need more information? Watch this YouTube Video.