Health Insurance, Immunizations and Tb Testing (Including Covid-19)
Health Insurance
Student health insurance is required of all students in the PA program and must be secured prior to the first day of class and continued throughout the program.
Students are encouraged to check for competitive health insurance rates via other sites as well. Some useful sites include:
- Healthcare.gov - The federal government’s official ACA website (you may be eligible to enroll out of the typical enrollment period)
- Healthcare.org - a general health insurance marketplace website
- Other vendors
Immunizations (including Covid) and Tb Testing**
For immunizations, the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers. As students will begin clinical experiences in their second semester of the Program, all students must provide documentation that the following immunizations and Tb testing has been completed prior to matriculation, and maintain immunizations and complete annual Tb testing throughout their training.
Per Emory & Henry College policy, all students in the MPAS program must submit proof of Covid-19 immunizations or a letter of medical or religious exemption (religious exemption must be notarized).
For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/essentialworker.html#vaccinated
For the most up-to-date information on E&H Covid policies including testing procedures, visit: https://www.ehc.edu/live/files/408-202001sr01-college-reopening-plan-v410
| Immunizations Required | Explanation |
| Hepatitis B Series | Documented evidence from a medical practitioner of a complete HepB vaccine series or serologic proof of immunity, or evidence of contraindication*. Please note the Hepatitis vaccination is a series of 3 vaccines completed over 6 months time. |
| Flu (Influenza) | All students are required to receive and maintain annual influenza immunization. For incoming students, proof of immunization, or evidence of contraindication*, must be received by the Fall of their matriculation year and annually thereafter. |
| MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) | Documented evidence from a medical practitioner of a complete MMR vaccine series, serologic proof of immunity, or evidence of contraindication* |
| Varicella (Chickenpox) | Documented evidence from a medical practitioner for a history of having chickenpox, varicella vaccination, serologic proof of immunity, or evidence of contraindication* |
| Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) | Documented evidence from a medical practitioner of TdaP vaccine within last 10 years or contraindication to vaccination* |
| Tuberculosis Testing | Documented evidence from a medical practitioner of negative two-step PPD testing and, if needed, negative Chest X-Ray results if PPD positive, or evidence of contraindication*. Following initial two-step PPD, one-step PPD required annually. |
| Meningococcal | Recommended for those who are routinely exposed to isolates of N. meningitidis per CDC recommendations. Not required by program but may be required by some clinical sites. |
*Contraindications to the above will be considered on a case-by-case basis, only with documentation from a medical provider, and must be discussed prior to matriculation. Personal/Religious reasons for declining immunizations will be considered on a case by case basis and must be discussed prior to matriculation.
**COVID-19 TB Test Exception: We will allow, per CDC recommendations, for students to wait 4 weeks after their COVID-19 immunizations to complete this requirement for matriculation. Student’s will not be permitted to participate in any clinical emersions or activities until this is completed. It is important to understand that participating in some clinical experiences may be prohibited from some institutions/practices without completion of immunization requirements.